Stacara Skipper
Common NameStacara Skipper
Scientific NamePsoralis stacara
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Primary Colorsbrown, grey
HabitatOpen woodlands, forest edges, clearings, and disturbed areas in tropical and subtropical regions.
Geographic RangeCentral America, South America
Host PlantsGrasses (Poaceae)
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical climates, with peaks during warmer, wetter months.
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. Larvae typically feed on grasses and may construct shelters from leaves.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, robust body, hooked antennae, and the overall dull brownish-grey coloration with subtle dark mottling and a small, often indistinct, pale spot on the forewing. Distinguishing from similar skippers often requires close examination of wing venation or genitalia.
Description
A small, robust skipper with dull brownish-grey wings, often mottled with darker markings and sometimes faint pale spots on the forewings. It has characteristic hooked antennae and a hairy body.
