Long-tailed Skipper

Urbanus proteus

The Long-tailed Skipper is a small butterfly with beautiful blue and brown wings. Its long tail makes it look special as it flutters around flowers in search of nectar.

Hábitat: Urban areas

Aspecto

The Long-tailed Skipper has an iridescent blue-green body and dark brownish-purple wings marked with distinct, glassy square spots. Its hindwings feature two very long, prominent tails, making it easy to identify among other butterflies.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenLepidopteraFamiliaHesperiidaeGéneroUrbanus

Long-tailed Skipper

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Even though it's an insect, it travels thousands of miles, migrating south for winter!

If startled, the chrysalis of this skipper can wiggle very fast to scare away danger!

Its caterpillars are called 'leaf-rollers' because they make a cozy home by folding leaves!

Unlike most butterflies, it often holds its front and hind wings at different angles while resting.

Habilidades especiales

Long-tailed Skipper has two long tails that can confuse predators, drawing attacks away from its vital body parts.

Long-tailed Skipper can fly with incredible speed and erratic movements to evade birds and other airborne threats.

Long-tailed Skipper uses its long proboscis to reach deep nectar in flowers, accessing food others can't.

Its caterpillar larvae roll up leaves as homes, protecting them from predators while they munch away.

Medidas y detalles

Envergadura: 38-50 mm
Tamaño: 15-20 mm
Esperanza de vida: 7-14 días
Velocidad de vuelo: 25 km/h
Cantidad de patas: 6

Dieta y alimentación

Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their hungry caterpillars munch on plant leaves.

Diferencias por edad: Larvae (caterpillars) eat leaves; adults drink nectar using a long proboscis.

Alimentos principales

Flower nectar
Bean plant leaves
Pea plant leaves
Soybean leaves
Indigofera leaves

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

eats

Common bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Its larvae consume the leaves of this plant.

eats

Soybean

Glycine max

Caterpillars feed on soybean leaves, sometimes as a pest.

pollinates

Lantana

Lantana camara

Adults drink nectar from Lantana flowers, aiding pollination.

eaten by

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Fast-flying kingbirds are known predators of adult skippers.

Rasgos

Colorido

Colorido describe a organismos u objetos que exhiben una amplia variedad de colores brillantes y distintivos.

Herbívoro

Este rasgo caracteriza a los organismos cuya dieta consiste total o principalmente en material vegetal.

Imán para polinizadores

Describe plantas que son particularmente atractivas y beneficiosas para una amplia variedad de organismos polinizadores.

Diurno

Los animales diurnos están activos principalmente durante el día y suelen descansar o dormir por la noche.

Velocista

Este rasgo identifica a los organismos que exhiben una rapidez excepcional en sus movimientos para cazar, escapar o desplazarse.

Adaptado a la ciudad

Esta característica de hábitat indica especies que pueden coexistir con los humanos en entornos urbanos y suburbanos, utilizando estructuras artificiales y espacios verdes.