Coyote Cloudywing
Achalarus toxeus
Description 1 5/8-2" (41-51 mm). Large, with narrow and very pointed wings. Chocolate-brown on both surfaces, slightly lighter on FW below. FW above and below crossed by very vague brown bands of a different shade. HW below crossed by 2 more
dark brown bands. HW fringe white.
Similar Species Hermit has rounded wings. Other large tailless skippers have more prominent markings. Drusius Cloudywing blacker with glassy FW spots.
Life Cycle Unreported. Host plant is Texas ebony (Pithecellobium flexicaule) and probably other species.
Flight Probably several broods; most of year.
Habitat Chaparral, desert and mountain scrub forests, and savannahs.
Range Arizona and Texas south to Panama.
Discussion In the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge of southern Texas, the Coyote Cloudywing flies about Texas ebony trees. Males visit the flowers while females deposit their eggs deep in the foliage. The very similar Jalapus Skipper (A. jalapus) has a more clearly lobed hind wing. It sometimes strays to Texas.
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