Home
Taxonomic Groups
Family: Skippers (Hesperiidae)
Family Description: The Hesperiidae are members of the Superfamily Hesperioidea. Worldwide in distribution, skippers are richest in the tropics. More than 3,500 species are described, with approximately 275 in North America, many of which are found only in Arizona and Texas. Most skippers are small to medium, usually orange, brown, black, white, or gray. A few have iridescent colors. Skippers have large eyes, short antennae (often with hooked clubs), stout bodies, and three pairs of walking legs. Their flight is often rapid, making wing movement appear blurred. Adults of most species have long probicscises and feed on floral nectar, but some also take up nutrients from bird droppings. Males have scent scales found in modified forewing patches. Males of most species locate mates by perching (grass and giant-skippers), though some patrol, especially in the open-winged skippers. Globular eggs are laid singly.Sort method:
Firetips
(Pyrrhopyginae) Dull Firetip (Apyrrothrix araxes) |
Spread-wing Skippers
(Pyrginae)| Mangrove Skipper (Phocides pigmalion) |
 Belus Skipper (Phocides belus) |
| Guava Skipper (Phocides palemon) |
| Urania skipper (Phocides urania) |
| Mercurial Skipper (Proteides mercurius) |
| Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) |
| Zestos Skipper (Epargyreus zestos) |
| Broken Silverdrop (Epargyreus exadeus) |
| Hammock Skipper (Polygonus leo) |
| Manuel's Skipper (Polygonus savigny) |
| White-striped Longtail (Chioides albofasciatus) |
| White-striped Longtail (Chioides catillus) |
| Zilpa Longtail (Chioides zilpa) |
| Gold-spotted Aguna (Aguna asander) |
| Emerald Aguna (Aguna claxon) |
| Tailed Aguna (Aguna metophis) |
| Mottled Longtail (Typhedanus undulatus) |
| Gold-tufted Skipper (Typhedanus ampyx) |
| Eight-spotted Longtail (Polythrix octomaculata) |
| Mexican Longtail (Polythrix mexicanus) |
| Short-tailed Skipper (Zestusa dorus) |
| White-crescent Longtail (Codatractus alcaeus) |
| Carlos' Mottled-Skipper (Codatractus carlos) |
| Arizona Skipper (Codatractus arizonensis) |
| Valeriana Skipper (Codatractus valeriana) |
| Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus) |
| Bluish Longtail (Urbanus viterboana) |
| Double-striped Longtail (Urbanus belli) |
| Pronus Longtail (Urbanus pronus) |
| Esmeralda Longtail (Urbanus esmeraldus) |
| Turquoise Longtail (Urbanus evona) |
| Dorantes Longtail (Urbanus dorantes) |
| Teleus Longtail (Urbanus teleus) |
| Tanna Longtail (Urbanus tanna) |
| Plain Longtail (Urbanus simplicius) |
| Brown Longtail (Urbanus procne) |
| White-tailed Longtail (Urbanus doryssus) |
| Two-barred Flasher (Astraptes fulgerator) |
| Small-spotted Flasher (Astraptes egregius) |
| Frosted Flasher (Astraptes alardus) |
| Gilbert's Flasher (Astraptes alector) |
| Yellow-tipped Flasher (Astraptes anaphus) |
| Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus) |
| Sonoran Banded-Skipper (Autochton pseudocellus) |
| Chisos Banded-Skipper (Autochton cincta) |
| Broad Banded-Skipper (Autochton neis) |
| Spike Banded-Skipper (Autochton longipennis) |
| Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades) |
| Desert Cloudywing (Achalarus casica) |
| Skinner's Cloudywing (Achalarus albociliatus) |
| Coyote Cloudywing (Achalarus toxeus) |
| Jalapus Cloudywing (Thessia jalapus) |
| Drusius Cloudywing (Thorybes drusius) |
| Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades) |
| Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus) |
| Confused Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis) |
| Western Cloudywing (Thorybes diversus) |
| Mexican Cloudywing (Thorybes mexicana) |
| Potrillo Skipper (Cabares potrillo) |
| Fritzgaertner's Flat (Celaenorrhinus fritzgaertneri) |
| Stallings' Flat (Celaenorrhinus stallingsi) |
| Slota Flat (Celaenorrhinus stola) |
| Falcate Skipper (Spathilepia clonius) |
| Acacia Skipper (Cogia hippalus) |
| Outis Skipper (Cogia outis) |
| Gold-costa Skipper (Cogia caicus) |
| Mimosa Skipper (Cogia calchas) |
| Starred Skipper (Arteurotia tractipennis) |
| Cleta Tufted-Skipper (Polyctor cleta) |
| Enops Tufted-Skipper (Polyctor enops) |
| Purplish-black Skipper (Nisoniades rubescens) |
| Glazed Pellicia (Pellicia arina) |
| Confused Pellicia (Pellicia angra) |
| Morning Glory Pellicia (Pellicia dimidiata) |
| Red-studded Skipper (Noctuana stator) |
| Cryptic Skipper (Noctuana lactifera) |
| Wind's Skipper (Windia windi) |
| Obscure Bolla (Bolla brennus) |
| Spatulate Sootywing (Bolla eusebius) |
| Mottled Bolla (Bolla clytius) |
| Golden-headed Scallopwing (Staphylus ceos) |
| Golden-snouted Sootywing (Staphylus vulgata) |
| Mazans Scallopwing (Staphylus mazans) |
| Hayhurst's Scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii) |
| Aztec Scallopwing (Staphylus azteca) |
| Variegated Skipper (Gorgythion begga) |
| Blue-studded Skipper (Sostrata nordica) |
| Polla Blue-Skipper (Paches polla) |
| Hoary Skipper (Carrhenes canescens) |
| Tanned Hoary-Skipper (Carrhenes fuscescens) |
| Glassy-winged Skipper (Xenophanes tryxus) |
| Crystal-winged Skipper (Onenses hyalophora) |
| White Spurwing (Antigonus emorsa) |
| Antigonus erosus (Antigonus erosus) |
| Large Spurwing (Antigonus nearchus) |
| Pale Mylon / Dingy Mylon (Mylon pelopidas) |
| Bold Mylon (Mylon lassia) |
| Texas Powdered Skipper (Systasea pulverulenta) |
| Arizona Powdered Skipper (Systasea zampa) |
| Pale Sicklewing (Achlyodes pallida) |
| Northern Sicklewing (Eantis tamenund) |
| Bruised Skipper (Zera hyacinthinus) |
| Tanned Blue-Skipper (Quadrus lugubris) |
| Orange-spotted Skipper (Atarnes sallei) |
| Hermit Skipper (Grais stigmaticus) |
| Brown-banded Skipper (Timochares ruptifasciata) |
| Common Anastrus (Anastrus sempiternus) |
| Common Bent-Skipper (Ebrietas anacreon) |
| White-patched Skipper (Chiomara georgina) |
| Slaty Skipper (Chiomara mithrax) |
| False Duskywing (Gesta invisus) |
| Florida Duskywing (Ephyriades brunnea) |
| Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus) |
| Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo) |
| Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) |
| Rocky Mountain Duskywing (Erynnis telemachus) |
| Propertius Duskywing (Erynnis propertius) |
| Meridian Duskywing (Erynnis meridianus) |
| Scudder's Duskywing (Erynnis scudderi) |
| Horace's Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) |
| Mournful Duskywing (Erynnis tristis) |
| Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis) |
| Pacuvius Duskywing (Erynnis pacuvius) |
| Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco) |
| Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis) |
| Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae) |
| Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius) |
| Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius) |
| Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius) |
| Yellow-rimmed Skipper (Aethilla lavochrea) |
| Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae) |
| Two-banded Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus ruralis) |
| Mountain Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus xanthus) |
| Small Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus scriptura) |
| Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis) |
| White Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus albescens) |
| Desert Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus philetas) |
| Tropical Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus oileus) |
| Erichson's White-Skipper (Heliopyrgus domicella) |
| Heliopyrgus sublinea (Heliopyrgus sublinea) |
| Northern White-Skipper (Heliopetes ericetorum) |
| Turk's-cap White-Skipper (Heliopetes macaira) |
| Laviana White-Skipper (Heliopetes laviana) |
| Veined White-Skipper (Heliopetes arsalte) |
| Alana White-Skipper (Heliopetes alana) |
| Common Streaky-Skipper (Celotes nessus) |
| Scarce Streaky-Skipper (Celotes limpia) |
| Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus) |
| Mexican Sootywing (Pholisora mejicanus) |
| Mohave Sootywing (Hesperopsis libya) |
| Saltbush Sootywing (Hesperopsis alpheus) |
| MacNeill's Sootywing (Hesperopsis gracielae) |
Grass Skippers
(Hesperiinae)| Faded Faceted Skipper (Synapte shiva) |
| Kendamulaza Skipper (Stinga kendamulaza) |
| Mnasilus allubita (Mnasilus allubita) |
| Arctic Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon) |
| Russet Skipperling (Piruna pirus) |
| Chisos Skipperling (Piruna haferniki) |
| Four-spotted Skipperling (Piruna polingii) |
| Many-spotted Skipperling (Piruna aea) |
| Small-spotted Skipperling (Piruna microstictus) |
| Hour-glass Skipperling (Piruna penaea) |
| Malicious Skipper (Synapte malitiosa) |
| Northern Faceted-Skipper (Synapte pecta) |
| Bold Faceted Skipper (Synapte syraces) |
| Salenus Skipper (Synapte salenus) |
| Gold-washed Skipper (Vinius tryhana) |
| Saturnus Skipper (Callimormus saturnus) |
| Redundant Skipper (Corticea corticea) |
| Violet-frosted Skipper (Mnasicles geta) |
| Pale-rayed Skipper (Vidius perigenes) |
| Violet-patched Skipper (Monca crispinus) |
| Swarthy Skipper (Nastra lherminier) |
| Neamathla Skipper (Nastra neamathla) |
| Julia's Skipper (Nastra julia) |
| Three-spotted Skipper (Cymaenes tripunctus) |
| Fawn-spotted Skipper (Cymaenes trebius) |
| Inca Skipper (Vehilius inca) |
| Pasture Skipper (Vehilius stictomenes) |
| Clouded Skipper (Lerema accius) |
| Liris Skipper (Lerema ancillaris) |
| Nikko Skipper (Niconiades nikko) |
| Fantastic Skipper (Vettius fantasos) |
| Joanna's Skipper (Joanna joanna) |
| Green-backed Ruby-eye (Perichares philetes) |
| Osca Skipper (Rhinthon osca) |
| Double-dotted Skipper (Decinea percosius) |
| Huastecan Skipper (Decinea decinea) |
| Lycortas Skipper (Orthos lycortas) |
| Hidden-ray Skipper (Conga chydaea) |
| Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor) |
| Tropical Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha arene) |
| Garita Skipperling (Oarisma garita) |
| Poweshiek Skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek) |
| Edwards' Skipperling (Oarisma edwardsii) |
| Orange Skipperling (Copaeodes aurantiaca) |
| Southern Skipperling (Copaeodes minima) |
| Sunrise Skipper (Adopaeoides prittwitzi) |
| European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) |
| Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) |
| Alkali Skipper (Pseudocopaeodes eunus) |
| Morrison's Skipper (Stinga morrisoni) |
| Uncas Skipper (Hesperia uncas) |
| Juba Skipper (Hesperia juba) |
| Common Branded Skipper (Hesperia comma) |
| Plains Skipper (Hesperia assiniboia) |
| Western Branded Skipper (Hesperia colorado) |
| Apache Skipper (Hesperia woodgatei) |
| Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe) |
| Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus) |
| Pahaska Skipper (Hesperia pahaska) |
| Columbian Skipper (Hesperia columbia) |
| Cobweb Skipper (Hesperia metea) |
| Green Skipper (Hesperia viridis) |
| Dotted Skipper (Hesperia attalus) |
| Meske's Skipper (Hesperia meskei) |
| Dakota Skipper (Hesperia dacotae) |
| Lindsey's Skipper (Hesperia lindseyi) |
| Indian Skipper (Hesperia sassacus) |
| Sierra Skipper (Hesperia miriamae) |
| Nevada Skipper (Hesperia nevada) |
| Sachem (Atalopedes campestris) |
| Rhesus Skipper (Polites rhesus) |
| Carus Skipper (Polites carus) |
| Peck's Skipper (Polites peckius) |
| Sandhill Skipper (Polites sabuleti) |
| Draco Skipper (Polites draco) |
| Mardon Skipper (Polites mardon) |
| Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) |
| Baracoa Skipper (Polites baracoa) |
| Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes) |
| Long Dash (Polites mystic) |
| Sonora Skipper (Polites sonora) |
| Whirlabout (Polites vibex) |
| Southern Broken-Dash (Wallengrenia otho) |
| Northern Broken-Dash (Wallengrenia egeremet) |
| Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna) |
| Pompeius Skipper (Pompeius pompeius) |
| Arogos Skipper (Atrytone arogos) |
| Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan) |
| Glowing Skipper (Anatrytone mazai) |
| Byssus Skipper (Problema byssus) |
| Rare Skipper (Problema bulenta) |
| Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides) |
| Rural Skipper (Ochlodes agricola) |
| Yuma Skipper (Ochlodes yuma) |
| Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok) |
| Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon) |
| Taxiles Skipper (Poanes taxiles) |
| Umber Skipper (Poanes melane) |
| Mulberry Wing (Poanes massasoit) |
| Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator) |
| Yehl Skipper (Poanes yehl) |
| Aaron's Skipper (Poanes aaroni) |
| Snow's Skipper (Paratrytone snowi) |
| Common Mellana (Quasimellana eulogius) |
| Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) |
| Black Dash (Euphyes conspicua) |
| Berry's Skipper (Euphyes berryi) |
| Dion Skipper (Euphyes dion) |
| Bay Skipper (Euphyes bayensis) |
| Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi) |
| Two-spotted Skipper (Euphyes bimacula) |
| Palmetto Skipper (Euphyes arpa) |
| Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris) |
| Monk (Asbolis capucinus) |
| Dusted Skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna) |
| Loammi Skipper (Atrytonopsis loammi) |
| Deva Skipper (Atrytonopsis deva) |
| Moon-marked Skipper (Atrytonopsis lunus) |
| Viereck's Skipper (Atrytonopsis vierecki) |
| White-barred Skipper (Atrytonopsis pittacus) |
| Python Skipper (Atrytonopsis python) |
| Cestus Skipper (Atrytonopsis cestus) |
| Sheep Skipper (Atrytonopsis edwardsi) |
| Large Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes exoteria) |
| Cassus Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes cassus) |
| Bronze Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes aenus) |
| Linda's Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes linda) |
| Oslar's Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes oslari) |
| Elissa Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes elissa) |
| Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) |
| Texas Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes texanae) |
| Carolina Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes carolina) |
| Reversed Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes reversa) |
| Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes aesculapius) |
| Slaty Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes nereus) |
| Nysa Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes nysa) |
| Dotted Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes eos) |
| Common Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes vialis) |
| Dusky Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes alternata) |
| Celia's Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes celia) |
| Bell's Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes belli) |
| Prenda Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes tolteca) |
| Orange-headed Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes phylace) |
| Orange-edged Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes fimbriata) |
| Simius Roadside-Skipper (NotAmblyscirtes simius) |
| Jeweled Skipper (Phanes aletes) |
| Clench's Skipper (Virga clenchi) |
| Eufala Skipper (Lerodea eufala) |
| Olive-clouded Skipper (Lerodea arabus) |
| Twin-spot Skipper (Oligoria maculata) |
| Brazilian Skipper (Calpodes ethlius) |
| Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin) |
| Obscure Skipper (Panoquina panoquinoides) |
| Wandering Skipper (Panoquina errans) |
| Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola) |
| Purple-washed Skipper (Panoquina lucas) |
| Hecebolus Skipper (Panoquina hecebolus) |
| Evans' Skipper (Panoquina evansi) |
| Violet-banded Skipper (Nyctelius nyctelius) |
| Chestnut-marked Skipper (Thespieus macareus) |
Giant-Skippers
(Megathyminae)| Orange Giant-Skipper (Agathymus neumoegeni) |
| Poling's Giant-Skipper (Agathymus polingi) |
| Huachuca Giant-Skipper (Agathymus evansi) |
| Arizona Giant-Skipper (Agathymus aryxna) |
| Bauer's Giant-Skipper (Agathymus baueri) |
| Gentry's Giant-Skipper (Agathymus gentryi) |
| Mary's Giant-Skipper (Agathymus mariae) |
| California Giant-Skipper (Agathymus stephensi) |
| Coahuila Giant-Skipper (Agathymus remingtoni) |
| Mojave Giant-Skipper (Agathymus alliae) |
| Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) |
| Strecker's Giant-Skipper (Megathymus streckeri) |
| Cofaqui Giant-Skipper (Megathymus cofaqui) |
| Ursine Giant-Skipper (Megathymus ursus) |
| Manfreda Giant-Skipper (Stallingsia maculosus) |
