Paratrytone snowi
(Edwards, 1877)
Snow's Skipper
Paratrytone snowi, commonly known as Snow's Skipper, is a of grass in the Hesperiidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species exhibits characteristic dark brown upper wing surfaces with distinct spotting patterns and reddish-brown undersides. Males possess a narrow black stigma on the forewing. The wingspan ranges from 2.9 to 3.5 centimeters.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Paratrytone snowi: //ˌpærəˈtraɪtoʊni ˈsnoʊ.aɪ//
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Identification
Distinguished from similar grass skippers by the combination of dark brown upperside with clear spots, reddish-brown underside with black forewing base, and the presence of a narrow black stigma in males. The relatively small wingspan (under 3.5 cm) and specific spot pattern on both wing surfaces aid identification. Accurate separation from congeneric requires examination of genitalia or detailed wing pattern analysis.
Distribution
Central America and North America.
Similar Taxa
- Paratrytone spp.Congeneric grass skippers with similar overall ; require detailed wing pattern or genitalia examination for definitive separation.
- Ochlodes spp.Formerly classified in this ; shares grass skipper and may overlap in distribution.
More Details
Taxonomic History
Originally described as Pamphila snowi by W.H. Edwards in 1877. Has been transferred to Ochlodes in some treatments (as Ochlodes snowi), but currently maintained in Paratrytone by most sources.