Diet

• Caterpillars feed on grasses (Poaceae).

• Larvae feed mainly at night and construct shelters among the grass blades.

• Adults feed on nectar from small flowers, including lantana and other low-growing flowering plants.

Range

• Polites vibex ranges from the southeastern United States and the Caribbean through Mexico and Central America to South America as far south as Argentina.

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

Habitat

• It is primarily a butterfly of open and semi-open habitats.

• Typical habitats include grasslands, fields, roadsides, forest openings, scrub, gardens, parks, coastal areas and disturbed vegetation.

• In the Zihua area it is likely to be encountered in sunny grassy areas, particularly where Bermuda grass and other suitable host grasses are abundant.

Description

• A medium-sized grass skipper with a wingspan of approximately 30–38 mm.

• Males are predominantly orange above, with a prominent black stigma on the forewing and a narrow dark outer margin.

• The male hindwing is orange with a darker border.

• Females are considerably darker, usually dark brown above with several pale spots on the forewing.

• On the underside, males have a golden-orange hindwing with large dark spots arranged in a distinctive pattern, while females have a more subdued greyish-brown underside.

• The species receives its common name from its characteristic flight behaviour: adults often make quick, circling or whirling movements when taking off and landing.