Insect
Tawny-edged Skipper
Polites themistoclesAlso known as Tawny Edged Skipper
Tawny-edged skippers are compact, quick-flying butterflies distinguished by the bright orange-tawny wash along the leading edge of their dark brownish forewings. Males feature a distinct black scent streak on the upper forewing, which they display while perching on low vegetation to watch for mates. Caterpillars construct silken shelters among lawn and pasture grasses, emerging under cover of darkness to feed.
SmallFast-FlyingGrassland
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyNectar, Kentucky Bluegrass, Panic Grasses
Predators
- Insectivorous Birds
- Orb-weaver Spiders
- Praying Mantises
ThreatsInsecticide application, intense habitat development, and over-mowing
HabitatsGrassy fields, pastures, lawns, roadsides, and prairies
Life span2–3 weeks as adult; 1 year total
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyHesperiidae
- GenusPolites
- SpeciesPolites themistocles
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look low to the ground in grassy fields or suburban lawns where adults perch on flower heads or grass stems.
- Approach: Move slowly from the side to avoid casting a sudden shadow that prompts them to dart away.
- Gardening: Plant native grasses and nectar-rich flowers like clovers and coneflowers to attract them.
Frequent Companion (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · cc-by
Close Relative Charles T. and John R. Bryson, , Bugwood.org / CC BY 3.0 us · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz · cc-by
Close Relative Judy Gallagher / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
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