description Long-tailed Skipper Overview
The long tailed skipper, Urbanus proteus, is a butterfly in the skipper family Hesperiidae. It occurs from South America through Central America and the southern United States, with migrants sometimes reaching farther north. Adults have blue green bodies and hindwings with conspicuous elongated tails, while the larvae feed on legumes and can use cultivated beans and related plants as hosts.
help Long-tailed Skipper FAQ
What is the scientific name of the long-tailed skipper?
The long-tailed skipper is Urbanus proteus, a butterfly in the skipper family Hesperiidae. It occurs from South America through Central America and the southern United States.
How can I identify a long-tailed skipper?
Adults have blue-green bodies and distinctive tails on the hindwings. Their wings are usually brown with greenish or bluish scales, and the tails can make them look like small swallowtails at a glance.
Do long-tailed skippers migrate?
They can act as migrants, with individuals sometimes reaching farther north than their usual southern range. Cold winters limit permanent populations in much of the northern United States.
What plants do long-tailed skipper caterpillars use?
The larvae commonly feed on legumes such as beans and peas. They fold or roll leaves around themselves, creating a shelter while they feed and develop.
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