Spiny Oak Slug Moth vs Tawny-edged Skipper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spiny Oak Slug Moth Tawny-edged Skipper
Scientific Name Euclea delphinii Polites themistocles
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Limacodidae Hesperiidae
Size 22-30 mm wingspan 20-27 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Eastern and Central North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spiny Oak Slug Moth

A small colorful moth with green, brown, and silver-spotted forewings. Its flattened, jewel-like caterpillar is green with red and yellow markings and bears stinging spines.

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Did You Know?

The ornate caterpillar has been called one of the most beautiful in North America despite its painful sting.

Tawny-edged Skipper

A small brown skipper with a warm orange-tawny leading edge on the forewing. It is one of the most common grass skippers in eastern North America but is easily overlooked.

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Did You Know?

It is named after the ancient Athenian general Themistocles, following a tradition of naming skippers after classical figures.