Cofaqui Giant-Skipper 
Megathymus cofaqui

Cofaqui Giant-Skipper was first described by Herman Strecker in 1876. He likely took the name “cofaqui” from the large Muskogean settlement of Cofaqui that was located near present day Louisville, Georgia in Jefferson County, which adjoins Burke County where the holotype of M. cofaqui likely was found. It is rare and local where its host plant, Yucca filamentosa, is abundant such as on the granite outcrops that stretch across the midsection of Georgia north of the Fall Line and in the Sandhills south of the granite belt. Stands of Y. filamentosa can sometimes be found in pine woods in the Coastal Plain. It is found less frequently in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is one brood from early July to early September with the prime flight period from about July 15 to August 15, but two late fall records from the Mountains suggest a later flight period there. They spend most of the daylight hours perched on the shady sides of trees, usually not more than 6 feet from the ground, becoming active at dusk. Early Date: July 25 (Talbot County); Late Date: November 5 (Rabun County). Conservation Status: The conservation of granite outcrops in the Piedmont has preserved many acres of prime habitat. Secure.