Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1252307

Green Skipper
Hesperia viridis

Observation date: May 29, 2020
Submitted by: A_baldini
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Weather: N/A. Notes: One Hesperia sp. skipper (Green or Pahaska) observed near a mud puddle at Stove Prairie Landing (elevation 6,100') on 05/29/2020. According to the Western Butterflies Peterson Field Guide, Pahaska Skipper males perch on hilltops, while Green Skipper males reside along gullies and streamcourses. This individual was found in a low-lying canyon area, not a hilltop, so I'm leaning towards Green Skipper for ID.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: June 14, 2020
Coordinator notes: Your inclination toward H. viridis is correct....you can easily see in your photo how the last (lowest) spot on the hindwing turns back. On pahaska it usually forms a straight line with no set-back. Occasionally viridis will show a fairly straight spot line southward in the Front Range (see my book, Butterflies of Colorado, Part 6 - The Skippers, p. 118-119....they have it at the CSUC - Gillette Museum on campus). Mike
Checklist region(s): United States, Colorado, Larimer County