# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Long-tailed Skipper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Long-tailed_Skipper_Butterfly_%28Urbanus_proteus%29_1.JPG&width=800) Photo: “Jon Zander ( Digon3 )", CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Long-tailed_Skipper_Butterfly_%28Urbanus_proteus%29_1.JPG) ## Appearance 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Urbanus ## Interesting facts - 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. ## Special abilities - **Dazzling Distraction:** Long-tailed Skipper has two long tails that can confuse predators, drawing attacks away from its vital body parts. - **Zooming Flight:** Long-tailed Skipper can fly with incredible speed and erratic movements to evade birds and other airborne threats. - **Nectar Noodler:** Long-tailed Skipper uses its long proboscis to reach deep nectar in flowers, accessing food others can't. - **Leaf-Rolling Camouflage:** Its caterpillar larvae roll up leaves as homes, protecting them from predators while they munch away. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 38-50 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their hungry caterpillars munch on plant leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) eat leaves; adults drink nectar using a long proboscis. - **Primary Foods:** Flower nectar, Bean plant leaves, Pea plant leaves, Soybean leaves, Indigofera leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Common bean (*Phaseolus vulgaris*) — Its larvae consume the leaves of this plant. - **Eats:** [Soybean](https://www.snappit.app/explore/soybean) (*Glycine max*) — Caterpillars feed on soybean leaves, sometimes as a pest. - **Pollinates:** [Lantana](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lantana) (*Lantana camara*) — Adults drink nectar from Lantana flowers, aiding pollination. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Fast-flying kingbirds are known predators of adult skippers. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch. Enjoy looking at them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Long-tailed Skipper? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Long-tailed Skipper's wingspan? 38-50 mm ### How big is Long-tailed Skipper? 15-20 mm ### How long does Long-tailed Skipper live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Long-tailed Skipper fly? 25 km/h ### What does Long-tailed Skipper eat? Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their hungry caterpillars munch on plant leaves. ### Where is Long-tailed Skipper usually found? Urban areas ### How does Long-tailed Skipper hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Broadmoor](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadmoor) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Secessionville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/secessionville-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Hattiesburg Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hattiesburg-zoo) — Mississippi, US · Zoo - [Algiers Point](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/algiers-point) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood - [Audubon Insectarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-insectarium) — Louisiana, US · Zoo [View all places to see Long-tailed Skipper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/long-tailed-skipper) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Long-tailed Skipper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/long-tailed-skipper)