About Heliopetes laviana (Hewitson, 1868)
Heliopetes laviana, commonly known as the Laviana white-skipper or Laviana skipper, is a butterfly species belonging to the family Hesperiidae. Its range extends from Argentina, through Central America and northern Mexico, to southern Texas. Occasional stray individuals can also be found in southern Arizona, and central and northern Texas. This species inhabits the edges of brushy areas, trails, roadsides, open woodland, thorn forest, and streamsides. The wingspan of adult Heliopetes laviana ranges from 35 to 42 mm. In southern Texas, this species produces multiple generations per year. Adult butterflies feed on flower nectar. The larvae feed on the leaves of a variety of mallow species, including species from the genera Sphaeralcea, Sida, and Abutilon. Larvae live inside nests made from folded leaves.
