Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka)

Palatka Skippers are found in and near coastal marshes with sawgrass (Cladium jamaicensis), their host plant, thus they are restricted in range to the immediate tidewater areas of the coast. Two-brooded, Palatka Skippers are on the wing May-July and Sep-Oct in NC, and can be common in the right habitat.

Palakta Skippers are large and are mostly unmarked below with the costal margin of the underforewing being contrastingly lighter tawny-orange. They are frequently described as looking like a giant Tawny-edged Skipper. They are nectar generalists feeding on many species of flowers, exemplified by the photos below on Solidago, Agalinis, and two species of Eupatorium.


Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005	Female Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005


Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005	Female Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005


Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005	Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005


Dare Co., NC 16 Sep 2006	Dare Co., NC 16 Sep 2006


Washington Co., NC 21 June 2006

Palatka Skipper caterpillars use sawgrass for a host plant. Sawgrass fruting stalks can be seen as the dark structures sticking up in the middle of this marsh.

Dare Co., NC
16 Sep 2006

North Carolina Butterflies | North American Butterflies | Jeff's Nature Page

Created on ... Oct 5, 2005 | Update on ... Sep 17, 2006 | jspippen@duke.edu