The European skipper is a common butterfly found in portions of north eastern North America. Unfortunately this is not where the species originated from. The European skipper is an invasive species that was accidentally introduced into Canada mixed in with imported grass seed back in 1910. In Europe it is called the Essex skipper.
By 1925 it had expanded its range and was spotted for the first time in the United States. Their range has continued to expand and now ranges from eastern North Dakota in the west and the Carolinas in the south. The larva of the European skipper consists of variety of grasses, including Timothy and quack-grasses. The adult feeds on the nectar of flowers as in the photos above.
The European skipper is a common butterfly found in portions of north eastern North America. Unfortunately this is not where the species originated from. The European skipper is an invasive species that was accidentally introduced into Canada mixed in with imported grass seed back in 1910. In Europe it is called the Essex skipper.
By 1925 it had expanded its range and was spotted for the first time in the United States. Their range has continued to expand and now ranges from eastern North Dakota in the west and the Carolinas in the south. The larva of the European skipper consists of variety of grasses, including Timothy and quack-grasses. The adult feeds on the nectar of flowers as in the photos above.
6 comments:
It's a little beauty!
Excellent shot!
Shamrock
A beautiful photograph and an interesting post. Thanks.
well i got excited over him
Nice lighting in your photograph.
Does the European Skipper displace natives? Or has it just added to the biodiversity?
Beautiful light and details.
Happy MM
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