Skipper Butterflies

This little Fiery Skipper butterfly made my day on Saturday while we were working outside. I couldn't believe it kept coming back and letting me get so close. It's the perfect muse for #pollinatorweek!

I just so happened to find an old Western Butterfly book of ours from the 60’s and was able to use it to identify this little cutie. I had no idea how many different types of “skippers” there are!

Types of Skipper Butterflies

Skipper butterflies are known for their rapid and darting flight patterns, resembling skipping motions, hence their name. These small to medium-sized butterflies belonging to the family Hesperiidae are found across various regions around the world. With over 3,500 different species, skipper butterflies are known for their diverse colors, patterns, and habits. In this article, we will explore some of the most fascinating types of skipper butterflies found in different parts of the world.

Silver-spotted Skipper

(Epargyreus clarus):

One of the most common skipper butterflies in North America, the silver-spotted skipper features a bold black-brown color with a distinctive silver-white band on its hind wings. It prefers open areas like meadows, fields, and gardens, and its caterpillars feed on legume plants.

Sachem Skipper

(Atalopedes campestris):

The sachem skipper, commonly found in the United States, is known for its vibrant orange-brown color with distinctive dark markings. It is a fast-flying species that often visit flowers for nectar. The caterpillars feed on grasses, and this skipper has successfully adapted to urban environments.

Long-tailed Skipper

(Urbanus proteus):

Found in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America, the long-tailed skipper is easily recognized by its long and delicate tails extending from its hind wings. The adults have a brown upper wing color with iridescent blue patches. Its caterpillars primarily feed on legumes.

4. Large Skipper

(Ochlodes venatus):

As the name suggests, the large skipper is one of the largest species of skipper butterflies found in Europe. It features a bright orange-brown color with dark brown spots on its wings. This species prefers meadows, grasslands, and woodland edges, and its caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses.

Black-eyed Skipper

(Calpodes ethlius):

The black-eyed skipper can be found in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. It exhibits a unique combination of colors, with a dark brown-black color on the upper side and striking white spots on its wings.

Fiery Skipper

(Hylephila phyleus)

While sitting, the fiery skippers can hold their wings in a triangle shape, which is unique to only the 'skipper' ('skipperling') species. Their sitting position is thought to be an adaptation for absorbing the sun's rays in a better way. Sadly, the larvae of skippers is considered a pest, but they sure are cute when they’re all grown up!

There you have it! Learn something new every day, and now you can be on the lookout, like me, for these adorable, fiesty fliers. How’d I do on my pictures? Any butterfly experts out there? I tried my best to match the species but it’s a liiiiiiitle difficult. HA! Let me know in the comments!