Nastra julia life history
Julia's Skipper (Nastra julia) Life History

     

10-19-09, first specimen
     

11-1-09, second specimen
     

face of first specimen
     

10-28-09, first chrysalis
     

11-6-09, ready to emerge
     

11-7-09, fresh Julia's Skipper
        

11-7-09, dorsal of the fresh skipper
 

Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) is a problematic invasive species that is crowding out native plants throughout the Rio Grande Valley. However, the small bit of good news is that at least two grass skippers do use it as a host plant. I have seen Clouded Skippers ovipositing on it, and pictured to the right are two Julia's Skipper caterpillar that also used it.

Julia's Skipper Page