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Cristian-M — Skipper 40D0017955

Published: 2009-02-26 15:13:01 +0000 UTC; Views: 609; Favourites: 31; Downloads: 0
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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. 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.

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Comments: 4

stargate4ever23 [2009-04-09 15:13:45 +0000 UTC]

This is so beautiful and perfect and clear! Awesome shot!

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copperarabian [2009-03-01 02:36:19 +0000 UTC]

they're so pretty

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AmongTheFirst [2009-02-27 07:08:24 +0000 UTC]

I've been seeing a lot of skippers from Doug's photos. He lives in Georgia and you live in North Carolina. How big is their range?

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Cristian-M In reply to AmongTheFirst [2009-02-27 14:23:38 +0000 UTC]

250 species of Skippers live in North America. Roughly one third of North American butterflies belong to this family.
Some of them can be found in Canada. For example, the Fiery Skipper migrates north each year, crossing the Canadian border regularly only in southwestern Ontario; it has been found as far northeast as Presqu'ile Provincial Park.

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