A Short Note on the Lifecycle of Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae coloradensis C. Riley, 1877) (Hesperiidae: Megathymini).

This article provides a short note on the lifecycle of the Yucca Giant-Skipper butterfly, which is a relatively understudied species. The researchers conducted a survey in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, to locate populations of this butterfly. They found that the adults were commonly found in two prairie habitats with an abundance of their hostplant, Yucca glauca. The caterpillars of this species bore into the plant crown and feed within the root, constructing a silken "tent" or "chimney" at the opening of the burrow. The researchers also observed signs of parasitism by dipteran pupae, indicating the presence of parasitoid species. The study raises questions about the life history of the Giant-Skippers and the potential impact of inbreeding depression. [Extracted from the article]