Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)

Uncommon to rare in the coastal plain and piedmont of NC, this species is found in close association with its caterpillar host plant, Yucca spp. These large skippers have only one brood and are generally found on the wing in April in North Carolina.
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) #3227Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Moore Co., NC
12 Apr 2008

Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) #3212
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Moore Co., NC
31 March 2016
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) #0515
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Sandhills Gamelands
Scotland Co., NC
10 April 2004
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
#3235
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Moore Co., NC
31 March 2016		 #6612
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Bladen Co., NC
25 Mar 2007
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Moore Co., NC
1 Apr 2012
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Moore Co., NC
1 Apr 2012
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Moore Co., NC
1 Apr 2012
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Moore Co., NC
1 Apr 2012
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Moore Co., NC
1 Apr 2012
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
#800
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Holly Shelter Gamelands
Pender Co., NC
24 April 2004		 #796
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Holly Shelter Gamelands
Pender Co., NC
24 April 2004
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
#0830
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Pender Co., NC
23 April 2006		 #0863
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Pender Co., NC
23 April 2006
Yucca filamentosa

Yucca filamentosa is the caterpillar host plant in NC.

Pender Co., NC
23 April 2006
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) egg
Moore Co., NC
1 Apr 2012

Yucca Giant-Skipper caterpillars burrow into the rootstock of their host yucca plants and feed on the root tissue. They periodically venture to the surface via constructed "chimneys" or "tents". When ready to pupate the newly emerged adult climbs out of its tent and allows its wings to dry/harden for several hours before taking flight.

Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) tents
Moore Co., NC
1 Apr 2012
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) tents
Moore Co., NC 12 Apr 2008
Moore Co., NC 12 Apr 2008

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Created on ... April 14, 2004 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com