Hesperiid Species¹Feeding on Maize Landraces at Oaxaca, Mexico

Despite the importance of maize (Zea mays L.) worldwide and multiple records of arthropods in the crop, only the United States, Mexico, and Peru register Lepidoptera from the family Hesperiidae as phytophagous on maize. For this reason, it is important to document for Mexico the presence of Hesperiidae species in maize. The work was done in the State of Oaxaca at the towns of Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Santiago Apóstol, Coatecas Altas, and Villa de Zaachila in the Central Valley region; and at La Cofradia and Santa Lucia Miahuatlan in the Sierra Sur region. Maize landrace crops of Bolita, Conical-Chalqueño, Zapalote Chico, and teosinte Zea luxurians (Durieu y Asch.) Bird were sampled. Larvae obtained in the field were fed until becoming adult butterflies. Four species of Hesperiidae were identified: Ancyloxypha arene (W. H. Edwards), Lerema accius (J. E. Smith), L. liris Evans, and Naevolus orius Mabille. For the first time, maize landraces were documented as food for larvae of L. liris and N. orius.