| Megathymus yuccae (Boisduval & Leconte, [1837]) |
| Status: Uncommon to occasional resident |
| Flight Period(s): One early spring flight, which in Nebraska has been recorded from 16 April – 11 May. |
| Range: This species is found across the southern half of the United States south to central Mexico. In Nebraska it has been found in the panhandle and in the loess hills of south central and southwest portions of the state. |
| Larval Hostplant(s): Yuccas - Yucca glauca |
| Overwinter: As mature larvae |
| Commentary/Habitat: This species is a rather recent addition to the state, having been first discovered in 1986. However once its presence was verified is has been located in a dozen counties with suitable habitats. It was probably overlooked for the first hundred years of Nebraska butterfly research due to its early flight period in late April and early May. Females select small to medium size plants on which to lay eggs. Like Strecker’s Giant-Skipper, its larvae bore into yucca plants where they feed and overwinter in the rootstalk. Feeding by the larvae usually kills the plant, and by the following spring the plant usually resembles a brown rosette. This species can be found in the larval/pupal stages by searching for small “tents” the larvae contructs of frass and silk in the center of the hostplant. Later stage larvae line their burrow in the hostplant root with a whitish “silk”. Pupation (and emergence) occurs the following spring. Pupae are able to move up their burrows to warmer surface temperatures, which speed their development by wriggling their abdomens. They drop to lower depths in response to shadows or vibrations. Father south this species can be found on small clusters of widely dispersed yucca, but in Nebraska has as yet been found only where yucca stands are extensive. |
| Similar Species: Strecker’s Giant Skipper from which it is separated by time and size |
