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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