Pseudocopaeodes eunus eunus

Photo Life History: Pseudocopaeodes eunus eunus

Habitat:  Butterflies of America

Host Plants:  Distichlis spicata

Suitable Lab Host Plants:

Caring for Live Female Butterflies:  Nectaring techniques

Methods of Female Oviposition:  Potted Plant Sleeves; Portable Cages.  This is by far the most productive method of rearing this or any hesperine skippers that belong to the genera Hesperia, Polites, Pseudocopaeodes, Atalopedes, and Hylephila.  (Eggs of Pseudocopaeodes eunus are extraordinarily large for the size of this skipper.  If you wish to obtain plenty of ova for rearing, try and collect a few females.)

How to Find Eggs: 

How to Hatch Eggs:  Consolidate eggs into one container.

How to Find Caterpillars in the Field: Extremely difficult as larvae construct nests either at the base of bunch grasses (or lawn grass) or partially below the surface.  Again the best way to obtain caterpillars is to collect live females and get eggs.

Caterpillar setups:  Open terrarium or potted plant.  (Distichlis spicata can be dug up and repotted.) 

Larva to Pupa:  Last instar caterpillars pupate right in their nests.

How to Find Pupae in the Field: 

Number of Broods per Year:  2-3; depending upon location

Overwintering Stage: 

Overwintering Strategies:  Your Own Backyard.   

Post-Hibernation Strategies: Provide post-diapause caterpillars to healthy host plant.

Avoiding Diapause Techniques:  Again, provide larvae with healthy host plant and they will not diapause.

Disease Prevention: Not necessary for potted plant technique.  Change out host plant and remove frass every five to seven days using the open terrarium technique. 

Emergence:  Emergence Container

Field Notes: