Four-spotted Skipperling
Piruna polingii (Barnes, 1900)
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Heteropterinae
Identification: Upperside is glossy dark brown with small transparent white spots on the forewing and 2-3 white spots on the hindwing. Underside is reddish brown with forewing spots repeated and 3 silver median spots on the hindwing.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/8 inches (2.5 - 3.9 cm).
Life History: Adults rest with their wings closed, but bask with hindwings open wide and forewings open to about 45 degrees. Males patrol to find receptive females. Caterpillars live and feed within nests of webbed leaves. Fully-grown caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: One brood from June-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Not reported; probably grasses, rushes, or sedges.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Moist woodland openings with lush vegetation, meadows, and ravines.
Range: Central New Mexico and central Arizona south to Mexico.
Conservation: Populations need to be located, monitored, and their conservation needs assessed.
NCGR: G2 - Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences), or because of other factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. (Endangered throughout its range).
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 72 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 20, 2021
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 19, 2021
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 19, 2021
Submitted by: stevecary (Hira Walker and her kids, Brooke and Chance)
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 13, 2017
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 25, 2016
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 02, 2010
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 01, 2010
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 09, 2007
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 09, 2007
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 08, 2007
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 02, 2000
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 13, 2025
Observation date: Aug 06, 1988
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 13, 2025
Observation date: Jul 19, 1985
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 13, 2025
Observation date: Aug 13, 1981
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 13, 2025
Observation date: Jul 05, 1981
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 11, 2025
Observation date: Aug 26, 2024
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Catron County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 31, 2024
Observation date: Jul 25, 2024
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 05, 2024
Observation date: Jul 14, 2024
Submitted by: JudyLY
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 23, 2024
Observation date: Aug 19, 2023
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Grant County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jul 20, 2023
Submitted by: Reneerob17
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 24, 2023
Observation date: Jul 05, 2023
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Sierra County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 06, 2023
Observation date: Jun 24, 2023
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 27, 2023
Observation date: Jun 24, 2023
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 26, 2023
Observation date: Jul 06, 2022
Submitted by: Aner
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 25, 2022
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