Diet

• Adults feed on nectar from small flowers, although the feeding habits of this relatively uncommon skipper are not particularly well known.

• The larval food plants are poorly documented. As with other members of the Hesperiinae, the caterpillar is likely associated with grasses or grass-like plants, but a confidently established host plant is not available.

• Adults tend to remain close to vegetation and may visit flowers in sunny openings.

Range

• Corticea corticea occurs from Mexico through Central America into northern South America.

• It is an occasional butterfly in the Zihua area, where it is most likely to be encountered in open woodland and forest-edge habitats.

Habitat

• It inhabits tropical and subtropical forest edges, woodland clearings, grassy openings, scrub, and secondary vegetation.

• It appears particularly suited to areas where patches of grasses and low vegetation occur alongside trees and shrubs.

• Adults are easily overlooked because of their subdued coloration and relatively inconspicuous behaviour.

Description

• A small skipper with a wingspan of approximately 25–32 mm.

• The upper surface is predominantly brown, with subtle orange-brown or tawny areas toward the bases of the wings.

• The forewing may show a few small, pale or translucent spots, but these markings are generally weak compared with those of many related grass skippers.

• The underside is greyish to brown, with muted bands and mottling that provide excellent camouflage among dry leaves and grasses.