First record of the Mexican-M hairstreak Parrhasius moctezuma (Clench, 1971) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in Texas, USA, and possible sighting of the tequila giant skipper Aegiale hesperiaris (Walker, 1856) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

Abstract

We report two significant butterfly sightings in the United States, observed during an opportunistic photographic survey conducted in south Texas between December 2022 and January 2023. Parrhasius moctezuma (Clench, 1971) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) was sighted at the National Butterfly Center in Mission,Texas, on January 5, 2023, marking the first documented record of the species in Texas and only the second in the United States, as confirmed by photographic evidence. Additionally, Aegiale hesperiaris (Walker, 1856) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) was potentially observed at the same location on December 4, 2022, although lacking photographic documentation or a collected specimen, highlighting the need for further observations in south Texas. These extralimital records enhance our understanding of the distributions and potential range expansions of these two taxa.