Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)

Uncommon but statewide in distribution, these small butterflies have two broods in NC, late Spring and late Summer into Fall. Identification of this species can be tricky, especially in the piedmont where the very similar Crossline Skipper is more common.

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Longleaf Pine Savanna, Carteret Co., NC
31 Aug 2008

Nectaring on Yellow Balduina (Balduina uniflora)

	Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) Longleaf Pine Savanna, Carteret Co., NC 31 Aug 2008 Under-hindwing markings in this species are highly variable from virtually no post-median spot band to a strong post-median spot band. Note that the veins are not lightened.


Harnett Co., NC 29 May 2005	same individual


Carteret Co., NC 29 Aug 2004	New Hanover Co., NC 28 Aug 2004


New Hanover Co., NC 28 August 2004	Nectaring on Erigeron Brunswick Co., NC 15 May 2004


Probably Tawny-edged (can't rule out Crossline, though) Durham Co., NC 4 Sep 2005	Female Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005

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

Created on ... May 16, 2004 | Updated on ... February 16, 2009 | jspippen@duke.edu