Pyrginae
Guides
Achlyodidini
Achlyodidini is a tribe of skipper butterflies in the subfamily Pyrginae, characterized by unusually-shaped wings with squarely truncated forewing tips and often vivid coloration. The tribe comprises approximately 16 genera and is restricted to the Americas, primarily in tropical regions. Formerly included within a broad concept of Pyrgini, Achlyodidini is now recognized as a distinct tribe based on phylogenetic studies, though it remains the closest relative to Pyrgini sensu stricto. The tribe includes notable genera such as Eantis (sicklewings) and Achlyodes.
Autochton cincta
Autochton cincta is a species of skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) described by Plötz in 1882. It belongs to the subfamily Pyrginae and was originally described under the genus Cecropterus. The species has been recorded in Middle America and North America.
Burnsius philetas
Desert Checkered-Skipper
Burnsius philetas, the desert checkered-skipper, is a small skipper butterfly (wingspan 25–29 mm) found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Formerly classified under Pyrgus, this species was reassigned to the genus Burnsius based on molecular and morphological evidence. It exhibits multiple generations per year with activity extending from early spring through late fall, with timing varying by latitude and elevation. The species is notable for its checkered wing pattern and association with dry, open habitats.
Celotes nessus
Common Streaky-Skipper
Celotes nessus, commonly known as the common streaky-skipper, is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with occasional strays reaching farther north. The species is multivoltine, with adults active from spring through late summer. Larvae feed on mallow species, while adults visit flowers for nectar.
Chiomara
Chiomara is a genus of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae) established by Godman and Salvin in 1899. The genus belongs to the subfamily Pyrginae, commonly known as the spread-winged skippers. Species in this genus are found in the Neotropical region.
Codatractus arizonensis
Arizona skipper
Codatractus arizonensis, commonly known as the Arizona skipper, is a species of dicot skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was first described by Skinner in 1905, originally as a subspecies of Heteropia melon. It is distributed across North America and Central America. As a member of the Pyrginae subfamily, it belongs to a group of skippers characterized by their rapid, darting flight patterns and association with dicotyledonous host plants.
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.
Ephyriades
Ephyriades is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae. The genus was established by Hübner in 1819. All species are restricted to Central America and the Caribbean region. Several species are commonly referred to as duskywings due to their dark wing coloration.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Xenophanes tryxus
Glassy-winged Skipper
Xenophanes tryxus is a skipper butterfly (Hesperiidae: Pyrginae) distributed across northern South America and Central America. The species is commonly known as the Glassy-winged Skipper, a name derived from its translucent wing patches. It is among the more frequently observed skippers in its range, with over 3,400 records on iNaturalist. The species was originally described by Stoll in 1780 as Papilio tryxus.