Euphyes pilatka

Euphyes pilatka
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Euphyes
Species: E. pilatka
Binomial name
Euphyes pilatka
(Edwards, 1867)[1]
Synonyms
  • Hesperia pilatka Edwards, 1867
  • Limochroes palatka
  • Atrytone pilatka
  • Euphyes floridanensis (Plötz, 1883)

The Palatka Skipper or Saw-grass Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae family. It is found from south-eastern Virginia south to peninsular Florida and the Florida Keys, then west along the Gulf Coast to southern Mississippi. Strays can be found up to northern Maryland and south-western Louisiana.[2]

The wingspan is 45–54 mm. The upperside is orange with black borders and the underside of the hindwings is dull brown. They feed on the flower nectar of various plants, including Pontederia species.

The larvae feed on the leaves of Cladium jamaicensis. They live in shelters of rolled leaves.

Subspecies

References


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