Description

The Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) is a small butterfly with bright orange wings marked with dark spots in males and a more mottled brown and orange pattern in females, commonly found in gardens, lawns, and grassy areas across the southern United States, Central America, and South America.

Range

Colonizes from the south each year. Mainly found in the southern third of the state.

Similar Species

None

Host Plants

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), St. Augustine Grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides), Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.), Other turf and pasture grasses

Flight

Usually arrives in Minnesota in July and flies until frost