HOME | DD

Description
Skipper (family Hesperiidae)

A skipper is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae (superfamily Hesperioidea), named after their quick, darting flight habits. Skippers differ in several important ways from the remaining butterflies, which are classified in the superfamily Papilionoidea and the neotropical superfamily Hedyloidea. Collectively, these three groups of butterflies share several characteristics especially in the egg, larval and pupal stage. However, skippers have the antennae clubs hooked backward like a crochet hook, whilst butterflies have club-like tips to their antennae and hedylids have feathered or pectinate antennae giving them an even more moth-like appearance than skippers. Skippers also have generally stockier bodies than the other two groups, with stronger wing muscles.

There are about 3500 species of Skippers. They are usually classified in the following subfamilies:
Awls, Awlets and Policemen (Subfamily Coeliadinae, about 75 species)
Grass Skippers (Subfamily Hesperiinae, over 2000 species)
Skipperlings (Subfamily Heteropterinae, about 150 species)
Giant Skippers (Subfamily Megathyminae, about 100 species)
Spread-winged Skippers (Subfamily Pyrginae, about 1000 species)
Firetips (Subfamily Pyrrhopyginae, about 150 species)
Australian Skippers (Subfamily Trapezitinae, about 60 species)

Many species of skippers look frustratingly alike. For example, some species in the genera Erynnis, Hesperia and Amblyscirtes cannot currently be distinguished in the field by experts, the only reliable method of telling them apart involving dissection and examination of the genitalia.

More info: [link] )

Description
Skipper (family Hesperiidae)

A skipper is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae (superfamily Hesperioidea), named after their quick, darting flight habits. Skippers differ in several important ways from the remaining butterflies, which are classified in the superfamily Papilionoidea and the neotropical superfamily Hedyloidea. Collectively, these three groups of butterflies share several characteristics especially in the egg, larval and pupal stage. However, skippers have the antennae clubs hooked backward like a crochet hook, whilst butterflies have club-like tips to their antennae and hedylids have feathered or pectinate antennae giving them an even more moth-like appearance than skippers. Skippers also have generally stockier bodies than the other two groups, with stronger wing muscles.

There are about 3500 species of Skippers. They are usually classified in the following subfamilies:
Awls, Awlets and Policemen (Subfamily Coeliadinae, about 75 species)
Grass Skippers (Subfamily Hesperiinae, over 2000 species)
Skipperlings (Subfamily Heteropterinae, about 150 species)
Giant Skippers (Subfamily Megathyminae, about 100 species)
Spread-winged Skippers (Subfamily Pyrginae, about 1000 species)
Firetips (Subfamily Pyrrhopyginae, about 150 species)
Australian Skippers (Subfamily Trapezitinae, about 60 species)

Many species of skippers look frustratingly alike. For example, some species in the genera Erynnis, Hesperia and Amblyscirtes cannot currently be distinguished in the field by experts, the only reliable method of telling them apart involving dissection and examination of the genitalia.

More info: [link] )