# Tawny-Edged Skipper (*polites themistocles*) The Tawny-Edged Skipper is a small, colorful butterfly that flits around flowers. Its wings have beautiful tawny edges, making it easy to spot in gardens and fields! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Tawny-Edged Skippers are commonly found in fields, meadows, and gardens. - **Also known as:** Edged Skipper, Tawny Skipper ![Tawny-Edged Skipper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Male_Tawny-edged_Skipper%252C_Megan_McCarty68.jpg&width=800) Photo: Meganmccarty, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Male_Tawny-edged_Skipper%252C_Megan_McCarty68.jpg) ## Appearance The Tawny-Edged Skipper has a distinct tawny-orange patch on its forewings, sharply contrasting with its dark brown body and hindwings. This bright edge makes it stand out from other brown skippers, especially during its characteristic rapid, skipping flight. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Polites ## Interesting facts - Adult skippers only live for about two weeks, flying super fast! - Its caterpillar stage is sometimes called a "skipping worm"! - Some Tawny-Edged Skippers can overwinter as larvae in their leaf shelters! - They often 'puddle' on damp ground, drinking water for salty minerals! ## Special abilities - **Super Speed Flight:** Tawny-Edged Skippers can dart quickly and erratically through the air because of their powerful flight muscles and unique wing shape. - **Hidden Home Builder:** The caterpillar can fold and silk-tie a leaf together, creating a safe, camouflaged shelter to hide from hungry predators. - **Nectar Sipper:** The Tawny-Edged Skipper has a long, straw-like tongue (proboscis) that helps it reach sweet nectar deep inside flowers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip sweet flower nectar; caterpillars munch on various grass leaves for energy. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat grass leaves, while adult skippers drink sweet flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar (from various flowers), Virginia wild rye, Big bluestem, Little bluestem - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — often caught by birds flying through open fields. - **Eats:** Virginia wild rye (*Elymus virginicus*) — its caterpillars feed on the leaves of this grass. - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — visits red clover flowers, transferring pollen as it sips nectar. - **Eaten by:** American Green Tree Frog (*Hyla cinerea*) — can be prey for amphibians in damp meadow areas. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tawny-Edged Skipper? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Tawny-Edged Skipper's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Tawny-Edged Skipper? 15-20 mm ### How long does Tawny-Edged Skipper live? 10-14 days ### How fast can Tawny-Edged Skipper fly? 12 km/h ### What does Tawny-Edged Skipper eat? Adults sip sweet flower nectar; caterpillars munch on various grass leaves for energy. ### Where is Tawny-Edged Skipper usually found? Tawny-Edged Skippers are commonly found in fields, meadows, and gardens. ### How does Tawny-Edged Skipper hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Broadway Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadway-avenue-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Capitol Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capitol-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Grand Circus Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-circus-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Monroe Avenue Commercial Buildings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monroe-avenue-commercial-buildings) — Michigan, US · Historic Site - [Shaw Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shaw-nature-reserve) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Burnett's Corner](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burnetts-corner) — Connecticut, US · Historic District [View all places to see Tawny-Edged Skipper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/tawny-edged-skipper) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Tawny-Edged Skipper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-edged-skipper)