Hesperiidae
Guides
Paratrytone
Paratrytone is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, established by Godman in 1900. The genus contains five recognized species distributed in North America. Some species, such as the Umber Skipper (Poanes melane, formerly placed in Paratrytone), are associated with riparian habitats and grassland ecosystems. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with at least one species transferred to another genus.
Pellicia
Pellicia is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae. The genus contains approximately 15 described species distributed across the Neotropical region. Species were described primarily between 1870 and 1953 by lepidopterists including Herrich-Schäffer, Evans, Williams & Bell, and Plötz. The genus is distinguished from related skippers by specific wing pattern and genitalic characteristics, though detailed species-level biology remains poorly documented.
Perichares
green-banded ruby-eye
Perichares is a Neotropical genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, established by Scudder in 1872. The genus contains approximately seven described species distributed from Panama through northern South America to Brazil. One species, Perichares haworthiana, is commonly known as the green-banded ruby-eye. Species in this genus are characterized by their association with tropical forest habitats.
Perichares adela
Green-backed Ruby-eye
A Neotropical skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the Green-backed Ruby-eye. The species exhibits the rapid, darting flight characteristic of skippers and is associated with forested and edge habitats in its range. Adults are diurnal and have been documented in multiple countries across Central and South America.
Phocides belus
Belus skipper, beautiful beamer
Phocides belus, commonly known as the Belus skipper or beautiful beamer, is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It ranges from Mexico through Central America to Costa Rica, with occasional strays reaching southern Texas. The species is recognized by its distinctive powder-blue wing coloration.
Phocides pigmalion
Pigmalion Skipper
Phocides pigmalion, known as the Pigmalion Skipper, is a Neotropical butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species ranges from Central America to Argentina and has been subject to historical taxonomic confusion with related species Phocides batabano and Phocides bicolora. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and P. p. hewitsonius.
Phocides urania
Rainbow Skipper
Phocides urania, commonly known as the Rainbow Skipper, is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is native to Middle America and is recognized for its colorful appearance. The species was originally described by Westwood in 1852 under the basionym Erycides urania. As a member of the subfamily Pyrginae, it belongs to a diverse group of skippers often associated with tropical and subtropical habitats.
Pholisora
sootywing
Pholisora is a genus of skippers (family Hesperiidae) established by Scudder in 1872. The genus contains at least two recognized species: the common sootywing (Pholisora catullus) and Pholisora mejicanus. Members are small, dark-colored butterflies often associated with disturbed habitats and weedy vegetation. The common sootywing has been documented in long-term butterfly monitoring studies, with populations showing significant decline in parts of its range.
Pholisora catullus
common sootywing, roadside rambler
Pholisora catullus, commonly known as the common sootywing or roadside rambler, is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species has experienced significant population declines in parts of its range, including regional extinction from Davis, California by 2007. It occurs from the central United States south to central Mexico, with vagrant individuals occasionally reaching more northern areas. The species is not found in peninsular Florida.
Pholisora mejicanus
Mexican Sootywing
Pholisora mejicanus, commonly known as the Mexican Sootywing, is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is distributed from the southwestern United States through most of Mexico, occupying open habitats including disturbed roadsides, railways, and mountainous gulches. The species exhibits rapid, darting flight typical of skippers and can be distinguished from similar Pholisora species by the blue-gray underside of its hindwings with contrasting black veins.
Piruna haferniki
Chisos Skipperling
Piruna haferniki, known as the Chisos Skipperling, is a species of intermediate skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It was described by Freeman in 1970. The species is found in Central America and North America, with its common name referencing the Chisos Mountains region in Texas.
Poanes massasoit
mulberry wing
Poanes massasoit, commonly known as the mulberry wing, is a small skipper butterfly native to eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of 22–29 mm and are characterized by their distinctive wing patterning. The species is associated with wetland habitats where its larval host plants, primarily sedges in the genus Carex, grow. It has been documented from the East Coast of the United States through the Great Lakes region and into southern Canada.
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
grass skippers
Polites is a genus of North American grass skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae. The genus was established by Scudder in 1872 and contains species primarily distributed across the United States. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized skippers with rapid, darting flight patterns typical of the subfamily Hesperiinae. Some species have become subjects of conservation concern due to population declines, with at least one species (Polites mardon) having been petitioned for federal endangered species protection.
Polites carus
Carus Skipper
Polites carus, commonly known as the carus skipper, is a species of grass skipper in the butterfly family Hesperiidae. It is a North American butterfly with limited documentation in scientific literature. The species was originally described as Pamphila carus by W.H. Edwards in 1883. It has been assigned the MONA or Hodges number 4015 for North American Lepidoptera identification.
Polygonus
Polygonus is a genus of spread-winged skippers (family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae) distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The genus was established by Hübner in 1825. Species in this genus are characterized by their distinctive resting posture with wings held partially open rather than folded vertically. The genus is well-represented in citizen science observations, with over 2,700 records documented.
Polygonus savigny
Manuel's skipper
Polygonus savigny, commonly known as Manuel's skipper, is a dicot skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was originally described as Hesperia savigny by Latreille in 1824. It occurs in North America, where it has been documented in at least 336 iNaturalist observations. The species is classified within the genus Polygonus, which belongs to the skipper butterfly group characterized by rapid, darting flight patterns.
Pompeius verna
Pompeius verna is a species of skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) described by Edwards in 1862. The species is currently accepted under this combination, though it was formerly placed in the genus Vernia. Distribution records indicate presence in North America, with specific occurrence in Vermont, United States. As a member of the subfamily Hesperiinae, it belongs to the grass skipper group, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Proteides mercurius mercurius
Mercurial Skipper
Proteides mercurius mercurius is a subspecies of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is part of the widespread Mercurial Skipper complex, which occurs across the Americas from the southern United States through the Caribbean and into South America. The nominate subspecies is distinguished by its distribution and subtle morphological differences from other subspecies. It is a medium-sized skipper with rapid, darting flight characteristic of the family.
Pyrgus
Grizzled Skippers, Checkered Skippers
Pyrgus is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as grizzled skippers. The genus occurs primarily in the Holarctic region, with some species extending into the Neotropics. Following a major taxonomic revision in 2019, most New World species were moved to other genera (Burnsius, Chirgus, Heliopetes), leaving only four Pyrgus species in the Americas: P. centaureae, P. ruralis, P. scriptura, and P. xanthus. The genus is characterized by small butterflies with checkered or grizzled wing patterns.
Pyrgus ruralis
Two-banded Checkered-Skipper, Two-banded Checkered Skipper
Pyrgus ruralis is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the two-banded checkered skipper. It occurs across western North America from southern British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains south to central California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. The species has one generation annually, with adults active from April to July. A federally endangered subspecies, P. r. lagunae (Laguna Mountains skipper), persists in a restricted range in the mountains east of San Diego, California.
Pyrgus scriptura
Small Checkered-Skipper, small checkered skipper
Pyrgus scriptura is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the small checkered skipper. It occurs across the western and central United States and southern Canada. The species has two generations per year and is associated with open, dry habitats. Larvae feed on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), particularly Sida hederacea.
Pyrgus xanthus
Mountain Checkered-Skipper
Pyrgus xanthus, commonly known as the mountain checkered skipper, is a species of spread-wing skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was described by Edwards in 1878. It is currently treated as a synonym of Pyrgus ruralis in some taxonomic databases, though this synonymy status varies among sources. The species is recorded from North America.
Quasimellana
Quasimellana is a genus of skippers (family Hesperiidae) erected by John Burns in 1994 to accommodate 24 species previously scattered across multiple genera, with Quasimellana mexicana as the type species. The genus spans northern Argentina to the southern United States and is divided into three species groups (eulogius, sethos, and nicomedes) based on morphology and distribution patterns. Fourteen species occur in North America. Male wingspans range from 11.4 to 17.9 mm, with most species averaging 14–16 mm.
Quasimellana eulogius
common mellana
Quasimellana eulogius, commonly known as the common mellana, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It has a broad distribution spanning Central America, North America, and South America. The species has been documented in at least 1,451 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-encountered in its range.
Spathilepia clonius
Falcate Skipper
Spathilepia clonius, commonly known as the Falcate Skipper, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Spathilepia within the skipper family Hesperiidae. This butterfly ranges from the southern United States through Central America and into South America as far as Argentina. It is a member of the subfamily Eudaminae, a group characterized by their robust bodies and rapid, darting flight patterns. The species has been documented across diverse tropical and subtropical habitats.
Spicauda tanna
Tanna Longtail
Spicauda tanna, commonly known as the Tanna Longtail, is a skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) distributed from South America northward through Central America to Mexico, with rare strays reaching southern Texas. The species has a wingspan of 33–38 mm and is active during the latter half of the year in its core range. Its larval host plant remains unknown, and adult feeding habits have not been directly documented.
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.
Staphylus
Scallopwings
Staphylus is a genus of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae, tribe Carcharodini) commonly known as scallopwings. The genus is found primarily in the Neotropical region, with species distributed across South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the southern United States. The subgenus Capilla was revised in 2023, with four new species described and female genitalia illustrated for six species for the first time.
Staphylus ceos
golden-headed scallopwing
Staphylus ceos, commonly known as the golden-headed scallopwing, is a spread-wing skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species was described by Edwards in 1882 and was originally placed in the genus Pholisora.
Staphylus hayhurstii
Hayhurst's scallopwing
Hayhurst's scallopwing is a small skipper butterfly found across the eastern and central United States. Adults have a wingspan of 25–32 mm and are active from spring through late summer, with extended flight periods in southern regions. The species shows variable seasonality, with two generations in most of its range but year-round activity possible in Florida.
Staphylus mazans
Mazans Scallopwing
Staphylus mazans, commonly known as the Mazans Scallopwing, is a spread-wing skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with four recognized subspecies showing geographic variation. Subspecies include the nominate S. m. mazans, S. m. ascaphalus, S. m. hayhurstii, and S. m. tierra. The species has been documented in diverse habitats including riparian corridors, sandy areas, and botanical gardens.
Stictiella emarginata
sand wasp
Stictiella emarginata is a solitary sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. It constructs nests in sandy soils and provisions cells with lepidopteran larvae, primarily Noctuidae and Hesperiidae. The species occurs across eastern North America from northern Michigan to the Atlantic Coast, with a flight season concentrated in late June through early August. Nesting behavior includes temporary nest closure, mound leveling, and orientation flights.
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Stinga is a genus of skippers (family Hesperiidae) established by Evans in 1955. The genus contains at least one recognized species, Stinga morrisoni. Skippers in this genus are part of the subfamily Hesperiinae, commonly known as grass skippers. The genus has been documented in entomological collections and databases, with 142 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Stinga morrisoni
Morrison's skipper
Stinga morrisoni, commonly known as Morrison's skipper, is a species of grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It was first described by William Henry Edwards in 1878, originally placed in the genus Pamphila. The species is distributed across North America and parts of Middle America. As a member of the Hesperiinae subfamily, it exhibits the characteristic rapid, darting flight pattern typical of grass skippers.
Synapte pecta
Northern Faceted Skipper
Synapte pecta is a skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) described by Evans in 1955. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Synapte malitiosa, though it is still referenced by its original name in some contexts. The species is commonly known as the Northern Faceted Skipper. It belongs to the subfamily Hesperiinae, a diverse group of grass-feeding skippers.
Systasea
Powdered-Skippers
Systasea is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, established by Edwards in 1877 as a replacement for the preoccupied name Lintneria. The genus comprises three recognized species distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Members are commonly known as Powdered-Skippers and are characterized by distinctive wing morphology including transparent spots on the forewing and deeply notched hindwing margins.
Systasea pulverulenta
Texas Powdered Skipper
Systasea pulverulenta, commonly known as the Texas Powdered Skipper, is a small butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It ranges from southern and western Texas through Mexico to Guatemala. Adults are active year-round in southern Texas, with flight recorded from February through December. The species is associated with Malvaceae host plants for larval development.
Systasea zampa
Arizona Powdered-Skipper
Systasea zampa, known as the Arizona Powdered-Skipper, is a spread-wing skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with records from Arizona and adjacent regions. The species is considered uncommon to rare in many parts of its range, with adults active in early spring. It is one of three species in the genus Systasea, all characterized by distinctive wing morphology.
Telegonus
Telegonus is a genus of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae) established by Hübner in 1819. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Astraptes. Species historically placed in Telegonus are distributed in the Neotropical region.
Telegonus alardus
Frosted Flasher
Telegonus alardus, commonly known as the frosted flasher, is a dicot skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species is broadly distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. Three subspecies are recognized, with the nominate subspecies described by Stoll in 1790.
Telegonus alector
Gilbert's Flasher
Telegonus alector, known as Gilbert's Flasher, is a skipper butterfly (Hesperiidae) found from North America through Middle America to South America. The species was originally described as Eudamus alector by C. and R. Felder in 1867. Taxonomic treatment varies: GBIF treats this name as a synonym of Astraptes alector, while iNaturalist and NCBI retain it under Telegonus. It is a well-documented species with nearly 900 iNaturalist observations.
Telegonus tsongae
Qian's Flasher
Telegonus tsongae, commonly known as Qian's Flasher, is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was formally described by Nick Grishin in 2023, making it a relatively recent addition to the genus Telegonus. The genus Telegonus is part of the skipper butterfly group, characterized by rapid, darting flight patterns. The specific epithet 'tsongae' honors an individual, following standard taxonomic naming conventions.
Thorybes dobra
Thorybes dobra is a skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) described by Evans in 1952. Current taxonomic treatment recognizes it as a synonym of Thorybes mexicana (the Mexican cloudywing), a species of spread-wing skipper in the subfamily Pyrginae. It was originally described as a distinct taxon but has since been subsumed under the broader species concept of T. mexicana.
Timochares
Timochares is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae, established by Godman & Salvin in 1896. The genus contains three recognized species distributed in the Neotropical region. Members of this genus are characterized by their banded wing patterns and relatively robust body form typical of pyrgine skippers.
Troyus fabulosus
Fabulous Skipper
Troyus fabulosus is a skipper butterfly described by Grishin in 2023. The species is placed in the genus Troyus within the family Hesperiidae. It is known from 379 iNaturalist observations. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Urbanus
Urbanus is a genus of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae) established by Jacob Hübner in 1807. These butterflies belong to the subtribe Eudamina within the subfamily Pyrginae. Species in this genus range from the southern United States through Central America to South America. The genus is well-represented in citizen science observations, with over 33,000 records documented on iNaturalist.
Urbanus dorantes
Urbanus dorantes is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae. The species was originally described as Papilio dorantes by Stoll in 1790 and later transferred to the genus Urbanus. Records indicate presence in Colombia, including departments of Santander, Nariño, and Bolívar, with specific localities spanning forested and urban-proximate environments from botanical gardens to national parks.
Urbanus oplerorum
Urbanus oplerorum is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, described by Grishin in 2023. It belongs to the genus Urbanus, a group of Neotropical long-tailed skippers. The species was recently described, indicating it was distinguished from congeners through modern taxonomic methods.
Wallengrenia
Broken-Dashes
Wallengrenia is a genus of skippers (family Hesperiidae) commonly known as Broken-Dashes. The genus was erected by Berg in 1897 and contains at least three described species distributed primarily in North America. These butterflies are small, fast-flying, and often associated with open habitats.