Skippers are a family of small butterflies with broad bodies. They get their name from their darting style of flight that somewhat resembles skipping. There are over 3500 species of skippers in the world with about 230 species in North America. North American skippers are divided into three subfamilies, the spread-winged skippers, grass skippers and the
skipperlings.
The Leonard's skipper is a member of the grass skipper subfamily,
Hesperiinae. They are a butterfly that is usually seen later in the summer, August and September. The reason s because the Leonard's skipper over winters in its early larval stage. When spring comes the tiny caterpillars wakes from its dormant state and has to progress through most of its
instars before it can pupate.
6 comments:
Nice find! This skipper emerges in the northern states before the southern states, usually with most other butterflies it is first in the south then in the north. Here in NC we expect to find these in October.
Nice skipper images. I also learned something from your post and need to go back and have another look at my skipper images. I have no clue which species mine are but maybe they are the same as yours.
Marvelous macro shots!
I just love the clarity and detail in the last shot.
Wonderful macro photos.
Regards!
Great macro shot--such excellent photography. Mickie ;)
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