Arctic Skipper

Pyrginae: Spread-wing Skippers Common Checkered-Skipper Erichson's White Skipper Funereal Duskywing Propertius Duskywing Silver-spotted Skipper Two-banded Checkered-Skipper Types of Butterflies

There is almost always an exception to a butterfly rule, and the Arctic Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon) represents an exception to the grass skipper subfamily Hesperiinae rule that grass skippers do not rest with open wings.

While not technically in the Pyrginae subfamily, the Arctic Skipper is included here because of its propensity to rest, or bask in the sun, with open wings.

It's a small skipper found along the Northern tier states across the United States.

Yellow spots on dark wings make it an easily identified skipper.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels