Olive-haired Swift
Common NameOlive-haired Swift
Scientific NamePanoquina sylvicola
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)38
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsolive-brown, yellowish-brown, white
HabitatOpen woodlands, forest edges, clearings, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeSouthern North America (Florida, Texas), Central America, northern South America
Host Plantssugarcane, Guinea grass, various large-bladed grasses
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical areas; March to November in Florida
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are green with a dark head, feeding on grasses and constructing leaf shelters. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon within a leaf shelter.
Identification TipsLook for the overall olive-brown to yellowish-brown coloration, the robust body, and the specific pattern of small, translucent white spots forming a diagonal band on the forewing. Hooked antennae are characteristic of skippers.
Description
A medium-sized skipper with an olive-brown to yellowish-brown body and wings, featuring a distinctive diagonal band of small, translucent white spots on the forewings.
