Diet

• Caterpillars feed on grasses (Poaceae), making S. teleus unusual among the long-tailed skippers.

• Young caterpillars construct shelters by folding grass blades together with silk and change shelters as they grow.

• Adults feed on flower nectar.

Range

• Spicauda teleus ranges from Mexico through Central America and southward through much of South America to Argentina.

• It occurs in Guerrero and is found in the Zihua area.

Habitat

• It is primarily associated with open and disturbed tropical habitats.

• Typical locations include forest clearings, roadsides, grassy fields, scrub, woodland edges and secondary vegetation.

• It occurs in both tropical dry and humid environments, generally at lower elevations.

• In the Zihua area, grassy openings and roadsides bordering tropical dry forest provide suitable habitat.

Description

• A medium-sized long-tailed skipper with a wingspan of approximately 35–39 mm.

• The upper surface is predominantly dark brown, with a thin translucent median band across the forewing.

• Males have four additional translucent spots along the costal portion of the forewing, a useful identification feature.

• The hindwings have two long, narrow tails, with the inner tail generally longer than the outer one.

• The underside is brown with contrasting pale markings, while the wing fringes are generally tan to pale brown.