Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org

Brazilian SkipperBrazilian Skippers are fairly widespread in Alabama, although their abundance changes from year to year. Unable to withstand freezing temperatures in any life stage, they must recolonize each year. Habitat revolves around the presence of cultivated or native cannas, their only host plant. Flight is extremely rapid. Both sexes nectar from flowers.

• Big! Our largest grass skipper.

• Sexes are similar. Females are slightly larger.

• Scaling on head gives a gray appearance

• Hindwing tapers in at bottom to form a blunt lobe.

• Ventral and dorsal markings mirror each other, but this is not often visible in the field.

• May be confused with Ocola Skippers and Salt Marsh Skippers. Brazilians are larger than either. They lack the striped body of Ocola Skippers. They lack the white hindwing dash that is distinct on Salt Marsh Skipper ventral hindwings.

© Sara Bright

Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org

* Reliable diagnostic marker

Brazilian Skipper

© Vitaly Charny

Dorsal View

Forewing elongated and pointed

Small translucent spots

Large translucent spots

Brown-black that lightens near base and edges

Band of semi-transparent spots on hindwing

Brazilian Skipper Calpodes ethlius

Wingspan: 1¾ - 2¼ inches (4.4 - 5.7 cm)

Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org

* Reliable diagnostic marker

Brazilian Skipper

© Vitaly Charny

Ventral View

Line of three - five translucent spots

Reddish-brown wing color

Small translucent spots

Forewing elongated and pointed

Brazilian Skipper Calpodes ethlius

Wingspan: 1¾ - 2¼ inches (4.4 - 5.7 cm)

Alabama Butterfly Atlas | alabama.butterflyatlas.org

Similar Species

© Sara Bright

Brazilian Skipper

© Karen Chiasson

Ocola Skipper

© Vitaly Charny

Salt Marsh Skipper