Long-tailed Skipper
Urbanus proteus

Long-tailed Skipper is common in the Coastal Plain and Lower Piedmont, uncommon in the Northern Piedmont and Ridge and Valley, and uncommon to rare in the Mountains. The habitat is weedy fields, woodland edges and gardens with nectar. The hostplants are hairypod cowpea (Vigna luteola), Dixie tick-trefoil (Desmodium tortuosum), spurred butterfly- pea (Centrosema virginianum), butterfly- pea (Clitoria mariana) and others in the pea family. Cold weather limits its permanent range to Florida, although in some warm winters it can be found in deep south Georgia. It migrates north in late spring, and thus most Georgia records are from July to November with only two records prior to July (March 2, Evans County and May 30, Brantley County). Early Date: March 2 (Evans County); Late Date: November 20 (Thomas County). Conservation Status: Secure.