Guava Skipper
Phocides palemon
Description 2-2 1/2" (51-64 mm). Wings long, drawn out at tip. Black above with metallic green streaks and reflections, and 2 crimson spots at tip of FW cell; white fringes on HW. Similar below. Scarlet collar just below head; palpi red.
Similar Species Other greenish Phocides and Astraptes lack crimson patches on FW above.
Life Cycle Young caterpillar crimson or maroon, with yellow crossbands or rings, maturing to white, with brown head and yellow spots on face. Chrysalis smooth, whitish to green.
Host plants are guavas (Psidium), including common guava (P. guajava).
Flight Successive broods; most months.
Habitat Tropical forest openings, gardens.
Range Southern Texas around Brownsville; Mexico south to Argentina.
Discussion This brightly colored skipper has only recently been recognized as a breeding resident within our range. Tropical populations have orange fringes.
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