Lot’s of people love Monarchs and that’s great. But it’s not just the flashy butterflies that need attention. This little beauty is a Dun Skipper. It’s a grass skipper in the family Hesperiidae. Skippers are small butterflies that feed on grasses and sedges as caterpillars and flowers as adults. There are many species of skipper and they can be hard to tell apart, which is part of the fun of looking for them.
Below is a Little Glassywing (left) and a Northern-broken Dash. I think they are adorable.
Finally, a photo of a skipper with a Great Spangled Fritillary to show the size difference. The fritillary is a bit smaller than a monarch.
To find these little beauties head to a grassy meadow or wildflower strip far from anyplace with pesticides or spraying and look for small butterflies. If you follow one with your eyes it may alight and give you a chance to admire it.
Happy butterflying.
Thanks for looking,
Stay well, be curious, love diversity,
Kate
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