Short-tailed Skipper
Zestusa dorus
Description 1 1/2-1 5/8" (38-41 mm). Triangular wings; short, lobelike tail on HW. Brown above with slightly reddish and leaden-gray cast toward base; several pale yellowish, glassy spots on FW, short row of spots across HW disk. Below, FW light orange on lower third, spots same as upperside; HW frosted bluish-gray, with 2 brown bands meeting at costa.
Similar Species Chestnut-spotted Skipper has shorter HW lobes, striking reddish marking below. Arrowhead Skipper smaller, has white cell spot and HW band above.
Life Cycle Mature caterpillar pale yellow-green with light longitudinal stripes and orange-brown head. Chrysalis overwinters.
Host plants are oaks (Quercus), including Emory oak (Q. emoryi) and Arizona oak (Q. arizonica).
Flight Several broods in S. Arizona; March-May and July-September. 1 brood in Colorado; April-May.
Habitat Oak-covered flats and hills.
Range Arizona, SW. Colorado, New Mexico, and W. Texas, south into Mexico.
Discussion Breeding populations of this uncommon skipper are local, yet the butterfly is known to wander, perhaps after breeding. Males gather at mud puddles and perch frequently on oak twigs, especially those over streams.
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