Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1248316

Rhesus Skipper
Polites rhesus

Observation date: May 13, 2020
Submitted by: HeidiG
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Warm (70s) day, sunny with few clouds, nectaring on what I believe is Oxytropis sericea
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: June 14, 2020
Coordinator notes: Your ID Heidi is correct. This is a seldom seen or photographed skipper because they are nervous, even at flowers they are very difficult to approach without disturbing them and you can't follow them either since they fly really fast (note those really pointed forewings). I expect you used a telephoto for the close-up.....really good photo too.....do you see others that day? In an occasional year it may "swarm" but usually you are fortunate to see only one or two. Mike
Checklist region(s): United States, Colorado, El Paso County