Fiery Skipper
(Hylephila phyleus phyleus)

This species of skipper is an immigrant that is not commonly seen in Knox county. It appeared in the Butterfly Garden in the late summer of 1999. This appearance may have been the result of the unusually mild winter. The fiery skipper is characterized by small black spots on the hindwings and the golden color. Here two males are seen visiting Verbena bonariensis. Sometimes the males spread their hindwings while holding the forewings more vertically. Note the characteristic irregular triangular markings on the horizontal hindwing and the diagonal black stripe on the forewing. Red clover, white asters and a variety of garden flowers are used as nectar sources by adults.