Brown-Banded Skipper

This butterfly can be seen in south Texas throughout most of the year but mainly flies from Spring to late Fall. This butterfly has multiple broods and strays north to central Texas. It is an irregular stray into the southwest area of New Mexico and Arizona. Above (dorsal view) is a golden orange-brown with broken bands of darker brown spots on foreweing and three dark brown bands on he hindwings. Underside (ventral view) is similar but paler. This butterfly can often be seen mudpuddling or on scat and cow patties seeking minerals and salts. Larval host plant is Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra).