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Tropical Checkered-Skipper

Burnsius oileus

The Tropical Checkered-Skipper is a small butterfly with beautiful checkered patterns on its wings. It flits around flowers, sipping sweet nectar and spreading joy wherever it goes!

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Tropical Checkered-Skipper is a small butterfly with a stout, dark body. Its wings are dark brown to black, covered with many square white spots that create a distinct checkered pattern, especially on the forewings. Some individuals also have a yellowish-orange spot on the hindwing underside.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyHesperiidaeGenusPyrgus
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
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Tropical Checkered-Skipper

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult skippers use a special straw-like tongue, called a proboscis, to drink nectar!

Skippers are a mix of moths and butterflies, flying by day but with stout bodies!

Their caterpillars are often called 'leaf rollers' because they fold leaves to hide.

They can sometimes "bask" in the sun, spreading their wings to warm up quickly.

Special abilities

Ability

Super Speed Burst

Tropical Checkered-Skipper can fly in a quick, erratic zigzag pattern because of its powerful wing muscles, helping them escape hungry predators!

Ability

Nectar Navigator

Tropical Checkered-Skipper has a long proboscis that helps them reach sweet nectar deep inside tubular flowers, fueling their energetic flight.

Ability

Pattern Camouflage

Tropical Checkered-Skipper has a checkered wing pattern that helps them blend into dappled sunlight and shade, making them harder for birds to spot.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-38 mm
Size
10-15 mm
Lifespan
10-20 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adult skippers drink flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on mallow plant leaves.

Age differences: Larvae eat plant leaves, while adults only drink flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar (adults)
  • Sida leaves (larvae)
  • Malvastrum leaves (larvae)
  • Malvaviscus leaves (larvae)

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Common Wireweed

Sida acuta

Its caterpillars eat the leaves of this plant.

depends on

False Mallow

Malvastrum coromandelianum

Young skippers feed on its leaves for growth.

eaten by

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Adult skippers are a food source for birds.

eaten by

Garden Orb Weaver

Argiope aurantia

Spiders often catch skippers in their webs.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Butterflies are gentle creatures, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tropical Checkered-Skipper's wingspan?

25-38 mm

How big is Tropical Checkered-Skipper?

10-15 mm

How long does Tropical Checkered-Skipper live?

10-20 days

How fast can Tropical Checkered-Skipper fly?

20 km/h

What does Tropical Checkered-Skipper eat?

Adult skippers drink flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on mallow plant leaves.

Where is Tropical Checkered-Skipper usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Tropical Checkered-Skipper hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Tropical Checkered-Skipper have?

6

Snap Map

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