Fiery Skipper vs Mother-of-Pearl Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Fiery Skipper Mother-of-Pearl Butterfly
Scientific Name Hylephila phyleus Protogoniomorpha parhassus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Hesperiidae Nymphalidae
Size 25-34 mm wingspan 70-90 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Southern United States, migrating northward in summer Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Fiery Skipper

A small bright orange skipper with short antennae and a fast darting flight. Males have a prominent black stigma on the forewing.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most common skippers found in American suburban lawns and is a minor turf grass pest.

Mother-of-Pearl Butterfly

A large butterfly with shimmering pearly white wings that reflect iridescent blue and pink. It inhabits deep forest where it glides through shaded clearings.

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Did You Know?

The pearlescent sheen on its wings is produced by tiny overlapping scales that act as multilayer reflectors.