Read about related Lepidoptera by using the "Forward" and "Backward" device icons. The skipper members of this Order of insects are generally small and characterized by fast flight. Their wing venation and widely separated, curve-tipped antennae, also distinguish this group. Skippers are divided into giant skipper, grass skipper, shrub skipper and mimic skipper families.

Common Checkered Skipper Pygrus communis Lepidoptera Hesperidae The wing patternation of the common checkered skipper varies considerably. This specimen from San Francisco has blue-gray hairs on the thorax. This species represents the most common skipper in the United States. Males aggressively patrol their territory by darting around and investigate anything that enters its domain. Green eggs turn to a cream color just prior to hatching. Their caterpillars feed mainly on wild mallows and live in nests made of rolled leaves. View the Index of Orders View Complete Photo List Ants, Bees & Wasps Butterflies & Moths Flies Beetles Lacewings & Antlions Leafhoppers & Cicadas True Bugs Cockroaches Praying Mantids Grasshoppers, Crickets Walking Sticks Dragonflies & Damselflies Mayflies Non-Insects