Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Subtribe Eudamina

-White-striped Longtail (Chioides albofasciatus)

Chioides albofasciatus, commonly known as the White-striped Longtail, is a large and striking skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It is easily recognized by its long, elegant tail-like extensions on the hindwings and a bold white band that crosses the dark wings. Its body is robust, and like other skippers, it has hooked antennae and powerful, rapid flight. This species is found in Mexico and Central America, inhabiting tropical forests, edges, and clearings. Adults are often seen flying quickly along forest edges or perching on vegetation, sometimes returning repeatedly to the same location.

Diet

Adults feed on flower nectar and are particularly attracted to flowering plants along forest edges and stream corridors.
The caterpillars feed on legumes (Fabaceae). Known host plants.
The larvae shelter within folded or joined portions of leaves while developing.

Range

Chioides albofasciatus has a broad Neotropical range, extending from Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean to South America and Argentina.
It is occasionally sighted in the Zihua area, particularly around forest edges, stream corridors and open woodland.

Habitat

The White-striped Longtail occurs in tropical and subtropical forest, brushland, clearings, trails and forest edges.
Males patrol stream corridors and other linear openings, often stopping to nectar at flowering shrubs and herbs.
Around Zihua, look for it along sunny forest margins, arroyos, roadsides, flowering clearings and secondary woodland, particularly where leguminous vines are abundant.

Description

This is a medium-sized long-tailed skipper, with a wingspan of approximately 39–54 mm.
The wings are predominantly dark brown, with several large, pale translucent spots on the forewing.
Its most distinctive feature is the long silver-white band on the underside of the hindwing, extending from the costa toward the base of the tail.
The hindwing bears a very long, narrow tail that can approach the length of the remaining hindwing itself.
The combination of the long tail, dark wings and conspicuous white hindwing stripe makes this one of the easier Chioides to recognize.