![]() |
Skipper – Hesperia sp. Family: Hesperiidae – Skippers / Subfamily: Hesperiinae – Grass skippers Butterflies Home | Butterfly Index | Moths | Moths Index | Insects | Spiders Live adult skippers photographed near Dotsero, Eagle County, Colorado, USA. Size: 15mm |
Skipper butterfly eggs are tiny, usually less than .1mm. Most skipper caterpillars are green and tapered, and the neck appears constricted. The caterpillars weave silk and leaves into a daytime shelter for protection. Most pupate in loosely woven cocoons. The chrysalises are often coated with a powder or bloom. Chrysalis and caterpillars may overwinter. Skipper butterflies can be divided into five subfamilies:
|
|
1. Opler, Paul A., Harry Pavulaan, Ray E. Stanford, Michael Pogue, coordinators. 2006. Butterflies and Moths of North America. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/ |
Order Lepidoptera, which contains both butterflies and moths, includes at least 125,000 known species including 12,000 in North America. Butterflies are revered for their brightly colored wings and pleasing association with fair weather and flowers. |