Long-Tailed Skipper: Essential Facts for Butterfly Enthusiasts

The Long-tailed Skipper is a unique butterfly known for its eye-catching appearance and distinctive tails. Belonging to the Hesperiidae family of skippers, its wings are predominantly brown, featuring a brilliant band of glassy spots on the dorsal forewing and an iridescent blue-green sheen on its body and wing bases. This fascinating insect stands out even more thanks to the single, prominent tail extending from each of its hindwings.

Native to North and Central America, the Long-tailed Skipper can be found in various habitats, ranging from gardens to forest edges and open fields. With a wingspan of 1½ – 2 inches, this relatively large skipper is easily spotted and a joy to observe for butterfly enthusiasts. As adults, they are known to feed on nectar from a wide variety of flowers, making them essential pollinators in their ecosystems.

Long Tailed Skipper Overview

Identification Features

The Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus) is a distinctive species of butterfly with several unique features:

• Wingspan: 1½ – 2 inches (3.8 – 4.1 cm) ¹
• Body color: Iridescent blue-green, especially at the wing bases ²
• Wings: Brown color with visible patterns
• Hindwing: Prominent, 0.5-inch-long tails at the end

This skipper butterfly has an easily recognizable appearance due to its eye-catching color combination and long-tailed hindwings.

Taxonomy

Long-tailed Skippers belong to the Lepidoptera order, which includes all butterflies and moths ³. Within Lepidoptera, Urbanus proteus is part of the Hesperiidae family, commonly known as Skippers. Here is a quick comparison between butterflies, moths, and skippers:

In summary, the Long-tailed Skipper is a unique and easily recognizable butterfly species due to its combination of distinctive features, including its iridescent blue-green body, brown wings, long tails on the hindwing, and 1½ – 2-inch wingspan. It belongs to the Hesperiidae family, which is part of the Lepidoptera order.

Habitat and Distribution

North and Central America

The Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus) is known to inhabit tropical and subtropical regions across North and Central America. In the United States, this butterfly can be found in the southeast, extending as far north as parts of the Midwest, depending on the season. They are also commonly seen in Mexico and throughout Central America.

• Range: Southeast United States, Mexico, Central America
• Habitat: Tropical and subtropical

South America

In South America, Long-tailed Skippers have a wide distribution covering most of the continent, including countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. They primarily inhabit neotropical regions, with preferences for forest edges and open areas.

• Range: Most of South America
• Habitat: Neotropical regions, forest edges, open areas

The Caribbean

The Long-tailed Skipper can also be found in the Caribbean, including the West Indies, where it thrives in both tropical and subtropical regions. This butterfly’s distribution spans many of the islands in the Caribbean, showcasing its adaptability to various environments.

• Range: West Indies, other Caribbean islands
• Habitat: Tropical and subtropical regions

Comparison Table:

Natural Behavior and Biology

Life Cycle

The life cycle of the Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus) involves four main stages:

1. Eggs: Typically laid on the host plants like American wisteria and kudzu.
2. Caterpillars: Larvae feed on these host plants and grow into caterpillars.
3. Pupa: Caterpillars eventually form a chrysalis and enter the pupal stage.
4. Adults: After development, adult butterflies emerge from the chrysalis.

Feeding and Pollination

Long-tailed Skippers exhibit unique feeding and pollinating behaviors. Adult butterflies primarily feed on nectar from flowers such as asters. Their feeding process contributes to the pollination of these plants.

Caterpillar Host Plants

Caterpillars of the Long-tailed Skipper are observed feeding on specific host plants, including:

• American wisteria
• Kudzu
• Various bean plants

These host plants provide an essential food source for the developing caterpillars. As they consume these plants, Long-tailed Skipper larvae may also be considered pests in certain agricultural contexts.

Adult Pollinators

Adult Long-tailed Skippers serve as pollinators for various plants. Some examples include:

• Asters
• Other native flowering plants

As they feed on nectar, adult skippers inadvertently transfer pollen between flowers, contributing to plant reproduction and biodiversity.

Predators and Other Threats

Long-tailed Skippers face numerous predators and threats throughout their life cycle. Examples:

• Birds
• Small mammals
• Parasitic wasps

These predators can target the skippers in various stages, from eggs to adults. Additionally, habitat loss and degradation can have negative impacts on Long-tailed Skipper populations.

Interaction with Human Environments

Gardens and Urban Settings

The Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus) is a butterfly species from the Hesperiidae family that can be found in Florida and other regions across the southern United States. Known for their brown wings and blue-green iridescence, these butterflies can often be seen in urban and suburban gardens, disturbed sites, and roadsides. They are particularly attracted to:

• Small flowers
• Open habitats
• Legume plants like beans

In gardens, the Long-tailed Skipper can be a showy butterfly, providing a lovely addition to the landscape. However, its abundance in more urban environments can also make it a nuisance.

Pest Management and Prevention

The Long-tailed Skipper is commonly considered a pest, particularly in gardens and bean fields, where the larvae feed on the leaves and damage the plants. Some methods for managing and preventing Long-tailed Skipper infestations include:

• Pesticides: Chemical insecticides can be effective but should be used with caution. Overuse can lead to resistance and negative impacts on other species, including pollinators and natural predators.
• Natural predators: Encouraging the presence of natural predators, such as birds and other insects, helps to maintain balanced ecosystems and reduce the populations of pests like the Long-tailed Skipper.
• Resistant plant varieties: Cultivating bean varieties that are less susceptible to attack from Long-tailed Skipper larvae can minimize damage in agricultural fields and gardens.

Their range extends from southern Texas to Illinois, but they are less common in northern regions due to colder temperatures. While the Long-tailed Skipper’s interaction with human environments can be both beneficial (aesthetically pleasing) and detrimental (pest behavior), efforts to balance their presence in these landscapes are essential for maintaining sustainable ecosystems.