Shelter building in the Hesperiidae: a classification scheme for larval shelters

Abstract

The majority of larvae in the family Hesperiidae build and inhabit shelters on or near the host plant. A review of hesperiid natural history publications from all regions, in combination with extensive field observations on New World skippers shows that larval shelters fall into at least ten separate categories. The functions, plasticity, and ontogenetic variation of skipper shelters are discussed. Terms useful in shelter description are defined and a classification system for shelter types is suggested. A dichotomous key to these types is provided.