Grassland-butterfly
Guides
Amblyscirtes aenus megamacula
Amblyscirtes aenus megamacula is a subspecies of grass skipper in the family Hesperiidae. The broader species A. aenus, known as the Bronze Roadside-Skipper, ranges across parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The subspecies megamacula is distinguished by larger wing spots compared to the nominate subspecies. Like other members of the genus, it inhabits grassland and open habitats where larval host grasses occur.
Amblyscirtes oslari
Oslar's Roadside-Skipper, Oslar's roadside skipper
Amblyscirtes oslari, commonly known as Oslar's Roadside-Skipper, is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occupies a broad range across the North American Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, from southern Canada to the southwestern United States. The species exhibits latitudinal variation in its life cycle, with a single annual generation in northern populations and two generations in southern populations. Both larval and adult stages have documented host associations: larvae feed exclusively on blue grama grass, while adults visit flowers for nectar.
Burnsius
New World Checkered-Skippers
Burnsius is a genus of New World checkered-skippers in the butterfly family Hesperiidae, erected by Nick V. Grishin in 2019 based on genomic analysis of 250 representative skipper species. The genus was created to contain approximately 12 species formerly classified in Pyrgus, with the number of described species later expanding to 14. These butterflies are characterized by their distinctive checkered wing patterns and are found exclusively in the New World.
Coenonympha tullia california
California Ringlet
Coenonympha tullia california is a subspecies of the Common Ringlet butterfly, historically found in low-elevation areas of central and northern California. According to long-term monitoring by UC Davis professor Art Shapiro, this subspecies was regionally extirpated from the Sacramento Valley and surrounding lowlands by 2007, becoming one of several butterfly species to disappear from Shapiro's study transect between Chico and Stockton. The decline is attributed to climate change disrupting diapause cues and pesticide exposure, particularly neonicotinoids. The subspecies exemplifies broader patterns of butterfly population collapse documented across North America.
Poanes taxiles
Taxiles Skipper
Poanes taxiles is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. This species is closely related to Poanes melane (Umber Skipper), with which it has been historically confused or synonymized. Like other Poanes skippers, it is associated with grassland and riparian habitats. Adults are active during warmer months and visit a variety of flowering plants for nectar.
Polites sabuleti
Sandhill Skipper, Saltgrass Skipper
Polites sabuleti is a small grassland skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, native to western North America from southern British Columbia to Baja California and east to the Rocky Mountains. It has been introduced to Hawaii. The species is notable for its association with weedy grasses including Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), and has experienced significant population declines in parts of its range, particularly in California's Sierra Valley.
Polites vibex
whirlabout
Polites vibex, commonly known as the whirlabout, is a grass skipper in the family Hesperiidae. The common name derives from the adult's distinctive flight pattern—a circular, vortex-like motion during landing and takeoff. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism in coloration, with males being orange and yellow while females are dark brown. It is resident throughout the southeastern United States, West Indies, Mexico, and tropical regions of Central and South America to Argentina, with seasonal northward migrations during warmer months.