Banana Skipper

Natural history and identification

The banana skipper feeds as a caterpillar on banana foliage and makes rolled-leaf shelters. Hawaiian pest literature also uses the older combination Pelopidas thrax. Parasitoids have been used for biological control. The sheltered caterpillar, pupa, and brown winged adult are separate identification stages; a rolled banana leaf should be checked for the insect itself.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. The Kauaʻi record is classified as “Present”. Its cited evidence source is iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Erionota thrax

Common names

Banana Skipper

Family

Hesperiidae

Order

Lepidoptera

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Banana Skipper (Erionota thrax) belongs to Hesperiidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status is introduced.

Sources and further reading

• iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist
• Natural history and identification — species source