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Monk Skipper
ExploreInsects
Monk Skipper
Choranthus capucinus
The Monk Skipper is a small butterfly with beautiful brown and orange wings. They love to flutter around flowers and are often seen in gardens and meadows, sipping nectar.
Habitat: Meadows
Appearance
The Monk Skipper is a robust, dark brown butterfly with a stout body and small orange-yellow spots on its forewings. Its hindwings are plain dark brown, often showing a purplish sheen on the underside. Its hooked antennae are a distinctive skipper trait.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyHesperiidaeGenusChoranthus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Even as adults, they love to sip nectar but sometimes enjoy a drink of tree sap too!
Monk Skippers are named for their dark, cowl-like appearance and their quick, "skipping" flight!
Their caterpillars are picky eaters, dining only on various types of palm leaves!
Unlike most butterflies, skippers have hooked antennae that look like tiny golf clubs!
Special abilities
Ability
Darting Flight
Monk Skipper can fly with quick, erratic movements because of its powerful wing muscles that help them dodge predators.
Ability
Leaf Shelter Builder
Monk Skipper larvae can roll and bind leaves together using silk that helps them create safe, camouflaged homes.
Ability
Nectar Sipper
Monk Skipper has a long, coiled proboscis that helps them reach sweet nectar deep inside flowers for food.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 30-45 mm
- Size
- 15-25 mm
- Lifespan
- 14-30 days
- Flight Speed
- 20 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Monk Skippers enjoy sugary nectar from flowers and their caterpillars munch on palm leaves.
Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) eat palm leaves, while adults primarily drink flower nectar and tree sap.
Primary Foods
- Flower Nectar
- Tree Sap
- Palm Leaves (larvae)
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Oil Palm
Elaeis guineensis
Larvae eat its leaves.
depends on
Coconut Palm
Cocos nucifera
Caterpillars feed on its fronds.
eaten by
Social Flycatcher
Myiozetetes similis
Birds like flycatchers hunt them.
pollinates
Blue Porterweed
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
Adults sip nectar, helping flowers.
eaten by
Silver Argiope
Argiope argentata
Orb-weaver spiders trap adults.
Traits
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Monk Skipper's wingspan?
30-45 mm
How big is Monk Skipper?
15-25 mm
How long does Monk Skipper live?
14-30 days
How fast can Monk Skipper fly?
20 km/h
What does Monk Skipper eat?
Monk Skippers enjoy sugary nectar from flowers and their caterpillars munch on palm leaves.
Where is Monk Skipper usually found?
Meadows
How does Monk Skipper hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Monk Skipper have?
6
Snap Map
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