Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1344148

Paphos Skipper
Potamanaxas paphos

Observation date: August 24, 2022
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: The butterfly was high in a tree and the photo shows an awkward angle, though reveals enough to ID down to either Potamanaxas thoria or paphos. The inner half of the VHW is covered with a patch of white that is less strong near the basal end, and leaves the outer edge of the HW dark. In this photo, the left FW with its yellow band bleeds through the HW. It also extends a little above the HW. The FW band is wider at the center, narrowing near the costal edge of the FW. The reason I believe this is "paphos" and not "thoria" is based on the presence of a series of fine pale streaks that wrap around the tip of the FW (see right FW). Based on specimens and other photos, only Paphos seems to have this FW feature.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: December 09, 2022
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): Panama