Hesperiidae
Guides
Ectomis
Ectomis is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Eudaminae. The genus was established by Mabille in 1878 and contains approximately 30 recognized species distributed across the Neotropical and southern Nearctic regions. Species within Ectomis exhibit considerable variation in wing pattern and distribution, with many restricted to specific regions of Central and South America. The genus is divided into two subgeneric groupings: Ectomis (Ectomis) and Ectomis (Asina).
Ectomis octomaculata
Eight-spotted Longtail
Ectomis octomaculata is a species of skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) found throughout the Americas, from the Caribbean through Middle America to North and South America. The species is commonly known as the Eight-spotted Longtail, referring to the characteristic pattern of spots on its wings and the elongated tail-like projection on the hindwing typical of many hesperiids. Taxonomically, it has been treated as a synonym of Polythrix octomaculata in some classifications, though sources such as NCBI and iNaturalist maintain it under the genus Ectomis.
Epargyreus clarus
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus, commonly known as the silver-spotted skipper, is one of the largest and most widespread skippers in North America. Adults are readily identified by a prominent silver-white patch on the ventral surface of each hindwing. The species is multivoltine, with one to four generations per year depending on latitude, and exhibits strikingly higher pupal mortality during summer generations compared to overwintering generations. Larvae construct elaborate silk-lashed leaf shelters that provide limited protection from predators.
Epargyreus zestos
zestos skipper, rusty skipper
Epargyreus zestos is a species of dicot skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in the Caribbean and North America. A recognized subspecies, E. zestos inaguarum, has been described. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are known for constructing silk shelters from folded leaves.
Erynnini
Duskywings and Allies
The Erynnini are a tribe of skipper butterflies in the subfamily Pyrginae, characterized by their relatively plesiomorphic morphology and generally inconspicuous appearance. The group is moderately diverse, with most species restricted to the Neotropics; notable exceptions are the Holarctic species of the type genus Erynnis (duskywings). The tribe was historically merged into a broadly defined Pyrgini but is now recognized as distinct following phylogenetic reorganization of the Pyrginae.
Erynnis
duskywings, duskywing skippers
Erynnis is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as duskywings. The genus exhibits high species diversity in the Nearctic region, with species also present across the Palearctic and Neotropical ecozones. Duskywings are medium-sized, fast-flying butterflies with dark, often brown or blackish wings that typically lack bright coloration. Many species are difficult to distinguish from one another and require examination of wing pattern details or genitalia for reliable identification.
Erynnis juvenalis clitus
Clitus Duskywing
Erynnis juvenalis clitus is a subspecies of the Juvenal's Duskywing skipper, a small brown butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is distributed across central and eastern North America, with records from Canada through the United States. The subspecies is active in early spring, with adults flying from April through May. It is one of several difficult-to-distinguish duskywing skippers in the genus Erynnis.
Erynnis lucilius
Columbine Duskywing
Erynnis lucilius, the columbine duskywing, is a small skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) native to northeastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of 21–29 mm and appear in shades of brown. The species is associated with rocky deciduous woodlands and ravines, where its larvae feed on columbine (Aquilegia) leaves. Two generations occur annually in eastern populations, with adults active from early May to mid-June.
Erynnis meridianus
Meridian Duskywing
Erynnis meridianus, commonly known as the meridian duskywing, is a spread-wing skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was described by Bell in 1927. It occurs in Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: Erynnis meridianus meridianus and Erynnis meridianus fieldi.
Erynnis propertius
Propertius duskywing, Propertius Dusky-Wing
Erynnis propertius, commonly known as the Propertius duskywing, is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs along the Pacific coast of North America from southern British Columbia to Baja California Norte and is one of the most frequently encountered skippers in California. The species has been studied at the northern edge of its range, where peripheral populations face habitat loss threats but may contribute to poleward range expansion under warming conditions.
Erynnis scudderi
Scudder's Duskywing
Erynnis scudderi is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, known commonly as Scudder's Duskywing. It belongs to the diverse and taxonomically challenging genus Erynnis, whose species are often difficult to distinguish from one another. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in major taxonomic databases. Like other duskywings, it is likely associated with specific host plants in the caterpillar stage, though detailed life history information for this particular species appears limited in available sources.
Erynnis telemachus
Rocky Mountain duskywing
Erynnis telemachus, the Rocky Mountain duskywing, is a spread-wing skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It is found in North America.
Erynnis zarucco
Zarucco Duskywing
Erynnis zarucco is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, distributed from southern Ontario through the southeastern United States. Adults have a wingspan of 32–38 mm and exhibit dark, muted coloration typical of duskywing skippers. The species has multiple generations annually, with three broods in the deep south and two in northern portions of its range. Larvae feed on Fabaceae, including both woody and herbaceous members of this plant family.
Euphyes dion
Dion Skipper, Alabama Skipper
Euphyes dion is a skipper butterfly native to eastern and central North America. Adults are active from July to early August in northern populations and from May to September in southern populations, where two generations occur per year. The species is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut. Larvae feed on sedges, while adults visit nectar sources including pickerelweed and buttonbush.
Euphyes dukesi
Dukes' skipper
Euphyes dukesi, known as Dukes' skipper, is a small wetland-associated skipper butterfly endemic to eastern North America. The species exhibits a fragmented distribution across three geographically isolated populations: the Atlantic coastal plain, the lower Mississippi Valley, and the Great Lakes region. It is strictly associated with shaded wetland habitats where sedges serve as larval host plants. The species was first described in 1923 from Alabama and named for collector W. C. Dukes. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and the Florida-endemic E. d. calhouni, which occupies swamp habitats with distinct morphological differences.
Euphyes pilatka
Palatka Skipper, Saw-grass Skipper
Euphyes pilatka, commonly known as the Palatka skipper or saw-grass skipper, is a butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is strongly associated with sawgrass marshes in the southeastern United States, where its larvae feed exclusively on Cladium jamaicensis. The species has a restricted coastal distribution and is notable for its specialized habitat requirements.
Gesta
Gesta is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae. The genus was established by Evans in 1953 and contains multiple species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Skippers in this genus exhibit the characteristic rapid, darting flight pattern typical of the Hesperiidae family. The genus is part of the diverse skipper radiation in the Americas.
Gesta invisus
False Duskywing
Gesta invisus, commonly known as the false duskywing, is a species of spread-wing skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler and Herbert Druce in 1872. The species is distributed across Central and North America. Like other skippers, it exhibits the characteristic rapid, darting flight pattern typical of the family. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 3943.
Gorgythion
Spread-winged Skippers
Gorgythion is a genus of skippers (family Hesperiidae) in the subfamily Pyrginae, commonly known as Spread-winged Skippers. The genus was established by Godman and Salvin in 1896 and is native to North America. Species in this genus are characterized by their distinctive wing posture at rest, with wings held partially open rather than folded vertically.
Gorgythion begga
Variegated Skipper
Gorgythion begga, commonly known as the Variegated Skipper, is a species of butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It belongs to the subfamily Pyrginae, a group commonly referred to as the spread-winged skippers. The species was first described by Prittwitz in 1868 under the basionym Hesperia begga. Records indicate presence across Middle America, North America, and South America, with specific locality records from Villavicencio.
Grais
Grais is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, established by Godman and Salvin in 1894. The genus belongs to the subfamily Pyrginae, commonly known as spread-winged skippers. Members of this genus are found in the Neotropical region. The genus has been documented in citizen science platforms with over 600 observations.
Grais stigmaticus
Hermit Skipper
Grais stigmaticus, commonly known as the hermit skipper, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Grais. This skipper butterfly has a broad distribution spanning from the southwestern United States through Central America to Argentina, with populations also present in Jamaica. The species was first described by Mabille in 1883 under the basionym Anastrus stigmaticus. As a member of the family Hesperiidae, it exhibits the characteristic rapid, darting flight pattern typical of skippers.
Heliopetes alana
Alana White-Skipper
Heliopetes alana, commonly known as the Alana White-Skipper, is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was originally described as Pyrgus alana by Reakirt in 1868 and later transferred to the genus Heliopetes. It belongs to the subfamily Pyrginae, a group of skippers commonly referred to as spread-winged skippers or firetips. The genus Heliopetes contains approximately 10 species distributed primarily in the Americas.
Heliopyrgus
Heliopyrgus is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae. It was described by Herrera in 1957. The genus is taxonomically disputed, with some authorities treating it as a subgenus of Heliopetes rather than a distinct genus. Species within this group are found in the Americas.
Heliopyrgus sublinea
East-Mexican white-skipper
Heliopyrgus sublinea, commonly known as the East-Mexican white-skipper, is a species of spread-wing skipper in the butterfly family Hesperiidae. The species was described by Schaus in 1902. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Heliopetes sublinea, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revisions within the genus. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 3970.1 for North American lepidopteran identification systems.
Hesperia
Branded Skippers
Hesperia is a Holarctic genus of skippers (Hesperiidae) commonly known as the branded skippers. Most species are endemic to North America, with Hesperia comma widespread across the Holarctic, H. florinda restricted to temperate eastern Asia, and H. nabokovi endemic to Hispaniola. The genus contains approximately 25 species characterized by distinctive wing markings and rapid, darting flight patterns typical of skippers.
Hesperia balcones
Hesperia balcones is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, described by Grishin in 2023. The species epithet "balcones" refers to the Balcones Escarpment in Texas, indicating the geographic region where this species occurs. As a recently described taxon, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited.
Hesperia colorado
American Branded Skipper, Western Branded Skipper
Hesperia colorado is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the American Branded Skipper or Western Branded Skipper. The species was described by Scudder in 1874, originally placed in the genus Pamphila. As a member of the genus Hesperia, it belongs to a group of grass skippers characterized by rapid, darting flight patterns and relatively small, robust bodies compared to other butterflies.
Hesperia columbia
Columbian skipper
Hesperia columbia, the Columbian skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in North America and Central America. The species was originally described as Pamphila columbia by Scudder in 1872. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 4026.
Hesperia meskei
Meske's Skipper
Meske's Skipper is a North American grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It was first described by William Henry Edwards in 1877. The species is recognized by taxonomic authorities including GBIF, Catalogue of Life, and NCBI. Three subspecies have been described: H. m. meskei, H. m. pinocayo, and H. m. straton. The species has been documented in citizen science platforms with over 300 observations.
Hesperia meskei straton
Eastern Meske's skipper
Eastern Meske's skipper is a subspecies of Hesperia meskei, a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in North America and is distinguished from related subspecies by geographic distribution and subtle morphological differences. The subspecies was described by W.H. Edwards in 1881.
Hesperia viridis
Green Skipper
Hesperia viridis, commonly known as the green skipper, is a species of grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 4028.
Hesperopsis alpheus
saltbush sootywing
Hesperopsis alpheus, commonly known as the saltbush sootywing, is a species of spread-wing skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with three recognized subspecies showing geographic variation across this range. The species was first described by W. H. Edwards in 1876 and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 3980.
Hesperopsis libya
Mojave sootywing, Mohave sootywing, Great Basin sootywing, Lena sooty wing
A small skipper butterfly of the family Hesperiidae, found in arid regions of western North America. Adults have a wingspan of 22–32 mm and exhibit variable flight periods depending on latitude, with multiple generations in southern California and single generations in northern parts of the range. The species is tightly associated with saltbush (Atriplex) host plants in alkaline desert environments.
Heteropterinae
Skipperlings
Heteropterinae is a subfamily of Hesperiidae (skippers) containing approximately 150 described species, commonly known as skipperlings. The subfamily is distinguished by specific morphological traits and includes genera such as Metisella in the Afrotropical region. Larvae of studied species feed exclusively on grasses (Poaceae). The subfamily occurs worldwide but is particularly documented from African and Malagasy regions.
Hylephila
Hylephila is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, first described by Billberg in 1820. The genus contains approximately 20 recognized species distributed primarily in the Americas, with notable species including Hylephila phyleus (the fiery skipper), which has been extensively studied for its response to climate change. Species within Hylephila are grouped into several species complexes based on morphological and genetic relationships, including the ignorans, venusta, boulleti, and phyleus groups.
Lerema liris
Liris Skipper
Lerema liris is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, described by Evans in 1955. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Lerema ancillaris. The species is known by the common name "Liris Skipper." As a hesperiine skipper, it belongs to a diverse group of butterflies characterized by rapid, darting flight patterns.
Lerodea arabus
Violet-clouded Skipper, Olive-clouded Skipper
Lerodea arabus is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, found in Central America and North America. Despite its common name suggesting violet coloration, the species is relatively nondescript in appearance. The caterpillar feeds on Bermuda grass, barnyard grass, and other weedy grasses, yet the species is consistently described as rare in reference works.
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 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.
Monca
Monca is a genus of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae) established by Evans in 1955. The genus belongs to the subfamily Hesperiinae, commonly known as grass skippers. Only one species, Monca crispinus, is currently recognized. The genus is documented in the Natural History Museum Lepidoptera genus database and has been observed in citizen science platforms.
Nastra
Nastra is a genus of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae, subfamily Hesperiinae) established by Evans in 1955. The genus comprises approximately ten recognized species distributed in the Americas, including notable species such as the Swarthy Skipper (Nastra lherminier) and Neamathla Skipper (Nastra neamathla). As grass skippers, members of this genus are characterized by their rapid, darting flight patterns and relatively small stature. The genus is well-documented with over 4,000 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate research and citizen science attention.
Nyctelius
Nyctelius is a genus of skippers (family Hesperiidae) established by Hayward in 1948. Skippers are a distinctive group of butterflies characterized by rapid, darting flight and hooked antennae clubs. The genus belongs to the subfamily Hesperiinae, the largest skipper subfamily containing many grass-feeding species.
Nyctelius nyctelius
Violet-banded Skipper, Nyctelius Skipper
Nyctelius nyctelius is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the violet-banded skipper or nyctelius skipper. It is a widespread species found across the Americas, with two recognized subspecies. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 4123.
Oarisma edwardsii
Edwards's Skipperling
Oarisma edwardsii, known as Edwards's skipperling, is a small grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. First described by William Barnes in 1897, this species occurs in Central and North America. It is recognized by its distinctive wing coloration and white-tipped wing fringes. The species has a wingspan of 22–29 mm, making it one of the smaller skippers in its range. Its MONA (Moth Photographers Group) or Hodges number is 4008.
Ochlodes yuma
Yuma Skipper
Ochlodes yuma, commonly known as the Yuma skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) endemic to wetlands of western North America. The species is notable for its specialized relationship with common reed (Phragmites australis), which serves as its sole known larval host plant. Five subspecies have been described, reflecting geographic variation across its range. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 4057.
Panoquina
Panoquina is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, established by Hemming in 1934. The genus comprises approximately 17 recognized species distributed across the Americas. Several species, such as Panoquina lucas (purple-washed skipper) and Panoquina ocola (ocola skipper), are relatively well-known and frequently observed. Members of this genus are characterized by their rapid, darting flight patterns typical of skippers. The genus has accumulated substantial observational records, with over 21,000 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Panoquina errans
Wandering Skipper
Panoquina errans is a butterfly species in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Mexico and the United States. The species is commonly known as the Wandering Skipper.
Panoquina evansi
Evans's skipper
Panoquina evansi, known as Evans's skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was described by Freeman in 1946, originally placed in the genus Calpodes. It belongs to a genus of skippers distributed in the Americas. The MONA (Moths of North America) or Hodges number for this species is 4122.
Panoquina lucas
purple-washed skipper
Panoquina lucas is a species of grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the purple-washed skipper. It has a broad distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species was originally described as Hesperia lucas by Fabricius in 1793.