Giant-skipper
Guides
Agathymus
giant-skippers
Agathymus is a genus of large skipper butterflies described by H.A. Freeman in 1959. The genus comprises approximately 30 species distributed across arid regions of North America from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Costa Rica. Larvae are specialized stem-borers in agave plants, making this genus ecologically dependent on desert agave communities. Species are commonly known as giant-skippers.
Agathymus aryxna
Arizona Giant-Skipper, Arizona giant skipper
Agathymus aryxna is a large skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1905. Commonly known as the Arizona Giant-Skipper, this species belongs to a genus of robust, fast-flying skippers often associated with agave plants. The species is distributed across Central and North America. It is recognized by Hodges number 4132 in the North American moth and butterfly classification system.
Agathymus neumoegeni
orange giant-skipper, Neumogen's giant-skipper, Neumogen's agave borer, Neumogen's moth-skipper, tawny giant-skipper
Agathymus neumoegeni, the orange giant-skipper, is a large skipper butterfly of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are univoltine, flying in September and October, and are strongly associated with agave plants. The species is notable for its distinctive orange and black wing patterning and its unique life history involving caterpillars that bore into agave leaves. Males exhibit mud-puddling behavior while females are non-feeding.
Agathymus remingtoni
Remington's Giant-Skipper, Coahuila Giant Skipper
Agathymus remingtoni is a species of giant skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It was described by Stallings and Turner in 1958, originally placed in the genus Megathymus. The species is known from Central America. Like other members of the genus Agathymus, it is part of a group of large-bodied skippers commonly referred to as giant skippers.
Agathymus stephensi
California giant skipper, California Giant-Skipper
Agathymus stephensi, commonly known as the California giant skipper, is a species of giant skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was described by Skinner in 1912 and was originally described as a subspecies of Megathymus neumoegeni before being elevated to full species status. It belongs to the genus Agathymus, which comprises large, robust skippers commonly referred to as giant skippers. The species is found in both Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature.
Megathyminae
giant skippers, yucca giant skippers
Megathyminae is a subfamily of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as giant skippers. These are among the largest skippers, characterized by robust bodies, relatively small wings for their body size, and a strong association with succulent plants. The group contains approximately 20 species distributed primarily in arid regions of North America. Larvae are endophagous, feeding internally within the stems or roots of host plants, particularly yuccas and agaves.
Megathymus
giant-skippers
Megathymus is a genus of large skippers in the family Hesperiidae, commonly called giant-skippers. The genus contains approximately 6 recognized species distributed across North America from the southeastern United States to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Members of this genus are notable for their relatively large size among skippers and their specialized association with Yucca plants. The genus was established by Scudder in 1872.
Megathymus cofaqui
Cofaqui Giant-Skipper
Megathymus cofaqui, the Cofaqui giant-skipper, is a butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is endemic to a narrow north–south corridor through central Georgia, United States. The species belongs to the genus Megathymus, a group commonly known as giant-skippers due to their relatively large size among skippers.
Megathymus ursus
Ursine Giant-Skipper, Ursus Giant Skipper
Megathymus ursus is a species of giant skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is distributed across North America and Central America. The species was described by Poling in 1902 and is recognized by three subspecies: M. u. ursus, M. u. deserti, and M. u. violae. It belongs to the genus Megathymus, a group of large-bodied skippers commonly known as giant skippers.
Stallingsia maculosus
Manfreda Giant-Skipper, Manfreda Giant Skipper
Stallingsia maculosus, commonly known as the manfreda giant skipper, is a butterfly species in the family Hesperiidae. It was originally described as Megathymus maculosus by Freeman in 1955 before being transferred to the genus Stallingsia. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. It is classified within the subfamily Hesperiinae, which includes most grass skipper butterflies.