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 NC).

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


Sandhills Gamelands Scotland Co., NC 10 April 2004	Sandhills Gamelands Scotland Co., NC 10 April 2004

	Bladen Co., NC 25 Mar 2007


Holly Shelter Gamelands Pender Co., NC 24 April 2004	Holly Shelter Gamelands Pender Co., NC 24 April 2004


Pender Co., NC 23 April 2006	Pender Co., NC 23 April 2006

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. Above are two different larval tents. Moore Co., NC 12 Apr 2008

Yucca filamentosa is the caterpillar host plant in NC.

Pender Co., NC
23 April 2006

North Carolina Butterflies | North American Butterflies | Jeff's Nature Page

Created on ... April 14, 2004 | Updated ... March 25, 2007 | jspippen@duke.edu