Coyote cloudywing

Description

Achalarus toxeus, the coyote cloudywing or coyote skipper, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found from Panama, north through Central America and Mexico to central Texas. Strays can be found up to southern Arizona. The wingspan is 42–50 mm. Adults are on wing from February to November. There are three generations per year. The caterpillars feed on young leaves of Ebenopsis ebano. Adults feed on flower nectar. Achalarus is a genus of skippers in the subfamily Eudaminae. The species range from eastern United States to Venezuela. Achalarus species are: Achalarus albociliatus (Mabille, 1877) – Skinner's cloudywing Achalarus casica (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) – desert cloudywing or Mexican hoary edge Achalarus lyciades (Geyer, 1832) – hoary edge Achalarus tehuanaca (Draudt, 1922) Achalarus toxeus (Plötz, 1882) – coyote cloudywing or coyote skipper