(photo by Matt York)
Urbanus dorantes, Dorantes Longtail skipper
Discovered yesterday afternoon in the Lantana bed in front of Cabin 9 & 10 at Marathon Motel, Marathon, Brewster County, TX.
(Photo by Matt York)
" I don't show any records for U. dorantes from West Texas." - Vice President/Editor-in-Chief, Texas Lepidoptera Survey.
He says, "West Texas."
Not just Brewster County.
Not just the tri-county area of the "Big Bend."
Not just the trans-Pecos.
All of West Texas.
Here's a map of this species' documented occurrence from Butterflies and Moths of North America:
And a map a little closer to home:
So, within this particular database it seems this bug hasn't been documented west of Edwards County (Rocksprings) or so.
And remember the quote from above. This from THE record keeper amongst the gurus in the Lone Star, "... no records in West Texas."
That's a lot of area.
I was familiar with this species from my time spent working and playing in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
It does go to show that proper habitat; that is, host plant, shelter, nectar and nourishment sources, goes a long way.
The Marathon Motel is a bit of a butterfly and moth oasis in the middle of a high-desert grassland.
Go ahead and shade Brewster County in blue.
(photo by Matt York)
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