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Stoll, 1782

Wingspan 1 3/4 - 2 1/4". Unmistakable. Large, with pointed forewings and prominent translucent spots on both wings, above and below; spots larger on forewings. Brown above, lighter at base of wings. Tinged reddish below, with buffy wing fringes, and small, cream-colored spots on hindwing.

Resident in southern Florida and southern Texas, south through Central America to Argentina; also, West Indies and Galapagos. Ranges north on occasion as far as Nevada, Illinois, and Massachusetts. In New England, very rare vagrant to southern coast.

Very rare vagrant in Massachusetts; known from specimens collected at Nantucket and New Bedford in September 1937 (Kimball and Jones, 1943). The Brazilian Skipper is a powerful flier, capable of traveling great distances. Individuals in the Northeast may be the result of long distance flights or possibly are transported to the area as egg, larva, or chrysalis on the cultivated Cannas that serve as the larval food source.

Flies throughout the year in southern Florida. Most likely in New England in late summer-early fall. Documented flight dates northward are 7 September to 9 October.

Host plants are Cannas, including Canna flaccida and C. indica.

Information for this species in Massachusetts is currently unavailable.

Residential areas and gardens.

Information for this species in Massachusetts is currently unavailable.

Richard K. Walton

Read more on this species at the North American Butterfly Association.