Tawny-edged Skipper vs Spoonwing Lacewing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tawny-edged Skipper | Spoonwing Lacewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polites themistocles | Nemoptera bipennis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Hesperiidae | Nemopteridae |
| Size | 20-27 mm wingspan | 20-28 mm body |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern and Central North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
It is named after the ancient Athenian general Themistocles, following a tradition of naming skippers after classical figures.
Spoonwing Lacewing
A graceful insect with spatula-shaped hindwing extensions, giving it an ethereal appearance in flight. Common in Iberian Peninsula grasslands.
Did You Know?
The spoon-shaped hindwings create an unusual fluttering flight pattern that makes the insect difficult for predators to track.