Bean Leafroller (caterpillar), Urbanus proteus
Bean Leafroller (caterpillar), Urbanus proteus
Terasa Lott, ©2020 Clemson Extension
Urbanus proteus is a skipper in the family, Hesperiidae. Adult skippers typically have hooked antennae and quick, skipping flight. Caterpillars of Hesperiidae have a large head and a distinct constriction at the back that forms a “neck” of sorts.
Urbanus proteus is found throughout the eastern and southern United States.
Young Urbanus proteus caterpillars (larvae) cut a small, triangular patch in the edge of a leaf, fold over the flap, and live inside this shelter. Older larvae construct larger shelters using two separate leaves that are held together with silk webbing.
Larvae leave the shelters at night to feed on the leaf tissue of legumes such as cowpea, lima bean, pea, snap bean, soybean, wisteria, Dixie tick trefoil, butterfly pea, and hog peanut. The damage to crop plants can make bean leafroller pestiferous. Contact the HGIC or your local county Extension agent for caterpillar management options.
Adult bean leafrollers are called longtail skippers in reference to the tail-like extensions of the hind wings. Longtail skippers are commonly observed to be feeding on plant nectar.
Longtail Skipper (adult), Urbanus proteus
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson University
