Texas Powdered Skipper
Common NameTexas Powdered Skipper
Scientific NameSystasea pulverulenta
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyPyrginae
Wingspan (mm)25
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, white
HabitatOpen woodlands, scrub, rocky canyons, desert washes
Geographic RangeTexas, New Mexico, Arizona, south into Mexico
Host PlantsSphaeralcea ambigua, Sphaeralcea angustifolia, Sphaeralcea coccinea, various mallows (Malvaceae)
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae feed on mallow leaves, creating leaf shelters, and pupate in a loose cocoon among leaf litter or within a folded leaf.
Identification TipsLook for its small size, overall mottled brown and tan appearance, and the characteristic 'powdered' look. It typically rests with its wings spread flat, revealing the intricate pattern.
Description
A small, mottled brown skipper with irregular tan and whitish markings on both forewings and hindwings, often appearing 'powdered'. The body is also brownish and hairy.
