Skippers

Hesperiidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Hesperiidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hesperiidae: /hɛˌspɛriˈaɪdiː/

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Summary

The family Hesperiidae, commonly known as Skippers, is a group of butterflies characterized by their rapid flight and distinct wing and body morphology. They were previously treated as a separate superfamily due to their unique morphological features compared to other butterflies.

Physical Characteristics

Generally small, mostly orange or brown butterflies with short fat bodies, hooked antennae, and rapid, skipping flight. Caterpillars have a large head that is easily distinguished from most other caterpillars by a constriction at the back.

Identification Tips

Many species of skippers look very alike. Some species in the genera Amblyscirtes, Erynnis (duskywings), and Hesperia (branded skippers) cannot currently be distinguished in the field even by experts. Reliable identification often requires dissection and microscopic examination of the genitalia.

Distribution

Skippers occur worldwide, with the greatest diversity in the Neotropical regions of Central and South America.

Evolution

Traditionally placed in a monotypic superfamily Hesperioidea, recent phylogenetic analyses suggest the traditional Papilionoidea are paraphyletic, requiring reorganization of subfamilies to reflect true cladistic relationships.