Canna Skipper
Common NameCanna Skipper
Scientific NameCalpodes ethlius
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)50
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, white
HabitatGardens, disturbed areas, marshes, open fields, often near Canna plants
Geographic RangeSouthern United States (Florida, Gulf Coast, parts of Texas, Arizona, California), Central America, South America
Host PlantsCanna indica, Canna generalis, other Canna species
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions; May to November in the southern US
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are green with a dark head, feeding within leaf rolls. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon inside a rolled leaf.
Identification TipsLook for its relatively large size for a skipper, dark brown wings with distinct translucent white spots on the forewings, and its association with Canna lilies.
Description
A robust, dark brown skipper with a large head and body, featuring small, translucent white spots on the forewings. The hindwings are mostly unmarked brown.
