Insect
Brazilian Skipper
Calpodes ethliusAlso known as Larger Canna Leafroller, Canna Skipper
Brazilian skippers are swift, darting fliers recognizable by their robust brown bodies and translucent glassy wing spots. Caterpillars construct cylindrical shelters by fastening the margins of canna leaves together with silk, skeletonizing the foliage from within these protective tubes. Resident across the American tropics, adults readily wander northward during warm months to establish temporary summer populations.
SkipperFast FlierPollinator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFlower nectar, Canna leaf tissue
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Orb-weaver spiders
- Parasitoid wasps
ThreatsPesticide application in ornamental landscapes and severe winter freezes.
HabitatsGardens, wetlands, marshes, coastal plains, and tropical forest edges.
Life spanAdults live 2–3 weeks; complete life cycle spans 30–40 days.
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyHesperiidae
- GenusCalpodes
- SpeciesCalpodes ethlius
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Foliage Inspection: Look for leaves curled lengthwise and sealed with silk on canna plants.
- Morning Approaches: Search nectar beds early in the day when basking adults move more slowly.
- Gentle Stalking: Avoid sudden movements from above, which trigger their explosive escape flight.
Related Skipper (c) Brandon Gilford, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Brandon Gilford · cc-by
Related Skipper Charles T. and John R. Bryson, Bugwood.org / CC BY 3.0 us · cc-by
Host Plant (c) Guillermo López Escalera Argueta, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Guillermo López Escalera Argueta · cc-by-sa
Related Skipper no rights reserved, uploaded by Elin Pierce · cc0
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