The
Skippers
This family (Hesperiidae) is a family of butterflies which are
typically small to medium in size and relatively dull colored, although a few in our area
have iridescent colors, for example, the Longtailed Skipper. Their antennal clubs are
often hooked and have an extension. All three pairs of legs are generally well developed.
Flight is often rapid with blurred wing movement. This family is represented by three
subfamilies in North Central Florida. These families are the Open-winged Skippers
(Pyrginae), the Branded Skippers (Hesperiinae), and the Giant Skippers (Megathyminae).
Hayhurst's Scallopwing (Staphylus
hayhurstii) A small, dark, spread-winged skipper which is locally rare
to uncommon in North Central Florida. It is the most northern member of the large and
easily recognizable scallopwing genus. It is often found in the dappled shade
along trails and edges of hardwood forests and almost always lands with its wings spread
flat.
Dorsal View
Ventral View
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Yehl Skipper (Poanes yehl)
A locally rare, bright rusty-orange to orange-brown skipper. Reported in North Central
Florida in May and September-October, but especially September. Possibly found in areas
containing switchcane and other moist hammock areas. Switchcane grows abundantly
throughout our area. Accessible stands of cane can be found in many local public areas
such as Newnan's Lake and San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park. The Yehl also is known
to nectar at Pickerelweed and Milkweed.
Subfamily: Hesperiinae (Branded Skippers)
Species Descriptions:
-Florida Museum of Natural History (not available)
-Butterflies
and Moths of North America
Photos:
Dorsal View
Ventral View
Whirlabout (Polites vibex) A
small orange-yellow skipper with large smudged brown or black spots whose flight often
takes it in a spiraling or whirling pattern, hence the name. It is one of the most
abundant skippers in North Central Florida and can be found in open weedy or grassy areas
thoughout the region. Larval hosts include Bermuda and St Augustine grass which are
abundant in both urban and rural areas of our area.
Subfamily: Hesperiinae (Branded Skippers)
Species Descriptions:
-Florida Museum of Natural History (not available)
-Butterflies
and Moths of North America
Photos:
Dorsal View
Ventral View
Southern Broken Dash (Wallengrenia
otho) A small reddish brown skipper which is common to North Central
Florida. It flies from April to November in most years and prefers edges of moist
woodlands and adjacent open areas. Hsost plants include various grasses.
Subfamily: Hesperiinae (Branded Skippers)
Species Descriptions:
- Florida Museum of Natural History (not available)
- Butterflies and Moths of North America
Photos:
Dorsal View
Ventral View
Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus
yuccae) A very large and big-bodied skipper. It is found in our area
in places like San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park where yucca, its host plant, grows
in sandhill and dry hammock habitat. It is uncommon and flies in North Central Florida
from February to April. Since Adults do not feed, it is sometimes easier to spot their
caterpillars than the adults. Try looking in the leaves and roots of this unique host.
While younger caterpillars can occasionally be found on the leaves of Yucca plants, older
(third instar and beyond) Yucca caterpillars burrow into hostplant roots, forming a tube
(tent) at the outlet of the burrow. The Yucca's tube is large and imerges from the central
crown of the hostplant.
Subfamily: Megathyminae (Giant Skippers)
Species Descriptions:
- Florida Museum of Natural History (not available)
- Butterflies
and Moths of North America
Photos:
Dorsal View
Ventral View
Yucca's deposit eggs on the surface of yucca plant leaves.
Older caterpillars burrow into yucca plant roots and form a tube (tent) at the root base.
Adults are most often found perching near yucca plants in the morning.