Biology:Megathymus yuccae

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of butterfly

Megathymus yuccae
Megathymus yuccae 2190091.jpg

Secure (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Megathymus
Species:
M. yuccae
Binomial name
Megathymus yuccae
(Boisduval & Le Conte, 1837)
Subspecies
  • Megathymus yuccae harbisoni
  • Megathymus yuccae arizonae
  • Megathymus yuccae reubeni
  • Megathymus yuccae louiseae
  • Megathymus yuccae wilsonorum
Synonyms

Eudamua yuccae (Boisduval & LeConte, 1834)

Megathymus yuccae, the yucca giant-skipper, is a rare early season butterfly that is widespread across the southern United States. It belongs in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Megathyminae.[2]

Description

The upper side of the wings are brown with the forewings having yellow spots. The under side is mainly mottled with black and gray. The wingspan is 48–79 mm (1.9–3.1 in). Caterpillars feed on Yucca species such as Y. filamentosa, Y. smalliana, Y. gloriosa, Y. elata, Y. arizonica, and Y. aloifolia. Although adults do not feed, males will gather moisture from mud.[2]

Habitat

This butterfly may be seen in deserts, foothills, and woodlands where yucca plants, in which their eggs are laid,[3] occur.

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q9346781 entry