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Asbolis capucinus
Monk Skipper
Not native to Florida
Seen in areas near palms in peninsular Florida. The range includes the West Indies. Apparently an introduced species as it was not known in Florida earlier than the 1940's.
This is one of our larger skippers with a wingspan of 45-60mm (1-3/4 to 2-1/3 in.). The wing undersides of both sexes are a fairly uniform mahogony brown with minute light flecks. The upperside is a dark brown with a reddish area at the base of the forewing.
Various palms are larval hosts with the caterpillars feeding on mature leaves and folding fronds to make a nest. Nectar favorites include hibiscus and other large flowers.
Asbolis capucinus is a member of the Hesperiidae - Skippers family.
For more information on this species, visit the following link:
BugGuide.net page for this species
Date record last modified: Jun 04, 2020
