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Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

Purple-washed Skipper

Panoquina lucas

Panoquina lucas, commonly known as the Purple-washed Skipper, is a small grass skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It is similar in shape and behavior to other Panoquina species but is distinguished by its subtle coloration. The wings are typically dark brown, often showing a faint purplish or violet sheen, especially in certain lighting—this “wash” gives the species its common name. Males may also show a dark stigma (scent patch) on the forewing, while females are generally duller and more uniformly brown. The underside is usually light tan to brown with minimal markings, providing effective camouflage.

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