Hylephila phyleus - the Fiery Skipper

First sighted this earlier in the week, loves the Yellow Alder plant, which it is on in this photo.

comments (12)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

To me, Peck's Skipper (Polites peckius) matches closer, at least visually. The typical photo I see of Poanes melane is much darker, meaning less yellow highlights. That said, not 100% sure. Would encourage you to get a second opinion. Posted 4 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  What about Hylephila phyleus? There is some variation in that species, but I think the pattern is pretty close. Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. DebRich
    
    Lion
    
    The Hylephila phyleus doesn’t have the same kind of banded brown marks on the forewing. And the yellow/orange markings on the hindwing are all run together, whereas on my specimen they are more like “chunks” of yellow. Posted 4 years ago
3. DebRich
  
  Lion
  
  What doesn’t match with the Polites peckius is that yellow/gold on the hind wing is more the dominant color with small bands of brown as accents on the species I captured. Although the yellow/orange squares on the forewings do match up with a male wing pattern. There aren’t many of them showing up in Texas either. They range from mostly Canada to midwestern states, not the southern ones. Posted 4 years ago
4. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Fair points. Also noticed Polites peckius is less likely in Texas, although not impossible. To be honest, for Poanes melane I'd challenge you to come with a reference photo that matches. The current ones look quite different from your photo, at least to my eyes. Posted 4 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      I was searching for a reference photo for Hylephila phyleus on BG and found this, lol:
      https://bugguide.net/node/view/1909133/bgimage Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Took me a sec to realize it's the same photo :) A second one, to show it's not a coincidence:
        https://bugguide.net/node/view/1722568/bgimage
        
        I'm quite convinced now it's Hylephila phyleus. Posted 4 years ago
      2. DebRich
        
        Lion
        
        I didn't agree with the the bugguide's identification because the multitude of photos they have identified as Hylephila phyleus are very different from one another. But I concede to both of you since I am the newby here. Posted 4 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        I could be wrong though, so maybe we can leave it unidentified if you are not confident of the ID? Here's a link with images showing male/female variation:
        
        http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/BFLY/fiery_skipper.htm Posted 4 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Variability does make it difficult, and we're not trying to pressure you into any ID, but I think it's not just your single photo. Above I linked a second, and here's a 3rd:
        https://bugguide.net/node/view/1521346/bgimage
        
        I'm personally still convinced, but if you're not, fine to leave it unidentified. Posted 4 years ago
        
        DebRich
        
        Lion
        
        I think in the past you had discouraged Bugguide for IDs, so I only posted it for an opinion, not as fact. However I see the match with the University of Florida link that Christine has posted. I'm fine with the fiery skipper based on that. I had also uploaded to iNaturalist however no one has commented. The pattern of yellow and brown checks is represented well on figure 6 of the U Florida page. So let's go with Fiery Skipper. Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        I don't recall discouraging Bugguide? Could be me though, I have a poor memory. I generally find it a good site, and it has an incredible amount of content and experts. That said, of course based on a single member you always have to double-check. Sometimes it also depends on their reputation.
        
        In any case, in cases where there is doubt, I always encourage using other sites as well. Wonder if you've found any good Facebook groups? They can be quite helpful/fast sometimes.
        
        Will go forward with the ID now. Posted 4 years ago