Pyrginae
Burmeister, 1878
Spread-wing Skippers, Spread-winged Skippers
Tribe Guides
6- Achlyodidini
- Carcharodini
- Celaenorrhinini(spread-winged skippers)
- Erynnini(Duskywings and Allies)
- Pyrgini(Checkered-Skippers)
- Pyrrhopygini(Firetips)
Pyrginae is a of ( Hesperiidae) distinguished by their characteristic spread-wing resting posture, in contrast to the folded-wing posture of Hesperiinae. Members are commonly known as spread-wing skippers. The subfamily was established by Hermann Burmeister in 1878 and has undergone considerable taxonomic revision, with evolutionary relationships of many largely resolved by 2009. Pyrginae is one of two or three skipper subfamilies found in California, alongside Hesperiinae and Heteropterinae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pyrginae: /pɪɹ.ˈd͡ʒaɪ.neɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Pyrginae skippers are distinguished from Hesperiinae (folded-wing skippers) by their resting posture: forewings and hindwings are held open and flat, or nearly so, rather than the forewings being held at a 45-degree angle with hindwings flat. This spread-wing posture is the primary diagnostic characteristic for the . Like all skippers, they possess with hooked clubs at the tips and large .
Images
Distribution
Worldwide distribution. Specific documented location: Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete (PNNSCh), Colombia.
Seasonality
have been observed foraging into fall in temperate regions, with activity continuing until winter approaches.
Behavior
forage on flowers including cosmos and . The spread-wing resting posture is a consistent behavioral trait of this .
Similar Taxa
- HesperiinaeFolded-wing skippers hold forewings at a 45-degree angle to the body with hindwings flat, creating a 'fighter-jet' appearance, versus the spread-wing posture of Pyrginae.
- HeteropterinaeAnother skipper found in California, distinguished from Pyrginae by different wing posture and morphological characteristics.
More Details
Taxonomic History
The was established by Hermann Burmeister in 1878. Delimitation and internal have changed considerably, with many uncertainties surrounding evolutionary relationships of largely resolved by 2009.
Evolutionary Position
Skippers ( Hesperiidae), including Pyrginae, appear to be 'sister' to the rest of the 'true butterflies' according to Arthur Shapiro, UC Davis professor of evolution and .