Long-Tailed Skipper
The Long-Tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus) is a medium size butterfly with a hairy body and long hindwing tails. The body and wing bases are bluish-green or iridescent green. It is commonly found in fields, gardens and brushy areas.
It can be found year-round in southern Texas and Florida. During the warmer seasons, it may venture as far north as Illinois and New York, but cannot survive cold weather.
Host plants: beans and other climbing legume vines
Size: 1.5" - 2.0"
Long-tailed Skipper Life Cycle Stages and Times
Stage | Typical Duration |
Egg stage | 4 to 7 days |
Caterpillar (larval) stage | 3 to 5 weeks |
Chrysalis (pupal) stage | 12 to 14 days |
Adult butterfly stage | 10 to 20 days |
Long-Tailed Skipper on Zinnias
Long-Tailed Skipper
Long-Tailed Skipper in East Texas, October, 2016