Falcate skipper

Appearance

The genus Spathilepia contains a single species, clonius, easily recognised by the angular forewings which have a prominent diagonal hyaline band. Tip of forewing is truncated; outer edges of wings are scalloped between the vein endings. Upperside is dark brown. The underside hindwings are marbled in brown, grey and black, effectively disguising the butterfly as a decomposing fragment of a dead leaf.
Wing Span: 1 5/8 - 1 13/16 inches (4.2 - 4.6 cm).

Distribution

Argentina north through Central America to Mexico. A rare stray to South Texas.
Type locality: Surinam

Behavior

The adults are normally encountered singly, nectaring at Senecio or Eupatorium, or basking with outspread wings on low herbage.
Flight: May-July and October-November in South Texas; all year in Mexico and Central America.

Habitat

This species is found in disturbed forest habitats at elevations between sea level and about 800m.

Reproduction

The larva is yellowish-green, covered in a lattice-like pattern of dark green lines, and with a dark green line running along the back. The head is dark brown with 2 prominent orange spots above the mandibles. The larval foodplants include Desmodium, Pachyrhizus, Rhynchosia and Calopogonium, all of which are herbaceous plants in the family Fabaceae.