The fiery skipper (Hylephila phyleus) is a species of butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. Reaching approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length, male fiery skippers are orange or yellow while the females are dark brown. Small brown spots may be observed on both the hindwing and forewing of both sexes although to a varying degree. Females may be darker brown overall with pale checkered markings on the hindwing. Fiery skipper larvae, or caterpillars, are greenish pink-grey with a black head and constricted neck. These larvae are often considered pests and can feed on Bermudagrass, creeping bentgrass, and St. Augustine grass.
Phylogenetic and genetic analysis of the fiery skipper revealed three haplotypes (HphH1, HphH26, and HphH31) to be shared in roughly 64.1% of all sampled individuals. Due to this high percentage, these haplotypes likely serve as central haplotypes from which different variations via mutations occurred. Haplotypes HphH22 and HphH23 were found in addition to HphH1, HphH26, and HphH31 to occur in species across all continents with certain haplotypes being prominent in different regions. More variation in haplotype may be observed in South America, suggesting populations may be larger and contain more diversity when compared to those of North America.
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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The fiery skipper has a wide range in North and South America, from Canada to Argentina. In the northern hemisphere, the butterfly may migrate north in summer months to the northern United States and southern Ontario, Canada. Possible reasons for this include high-density populations resulting in reproductive competition and strategy, resource availability, and courtship customs. In 2012, a female fiery skipper was photographed and correctly identified in New Brunswick, Canada, suggesting the species may occasionally travel as far north as the Maritime Provinces.
Fiery skippers, along with most other species of skippers and skipperlings, can hold their wings in a "triangle" shape. The forewings are held upright, and the hindwings are folded flat. This position is thought to better absorb the sun's rays. Fiery skippers have been described as “rapid flyers with darting movements” which often make them difficult to both observe and catch. These skippers are often found in urban settings and are known to hold a unique relationship with turfgrass such as Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). In Hawaii, studies looking at the diet of fiery skipper larvae found individuals to grow most rapidly when fed a diet of “FB-137” Bermuda Grass. Given the wide range of these skippers, it is suggested the species will readily disperse given ample resources.
When looking for a mate, male skippers will perch on nearby grass or plants and wait for a female to approach the vicinity. Males will often seek out areas with the highest likelihood of finding virgin females which often leads them to patches near or at sites of hatching. Courtship is described as brief and often disrupted by the presence and competition of rival males. Once a successful mating has occurred, female fiery skippers will deposit eggs one at a time in different locations. These eggs are typically small and a translucent white in color but turn pale blue in the first few days. Studies looking at the reproductive cycle of the fiery skipper reveal a mean developmental time of 23.4 to 23.5 days during which the fiery skipper transformed from an egg into an adult at 27.5–29 °C (81.5–84.2 °F). Once hatched, larvae are initially green but later become more dull and grey. Larvae at this stage are most notably characterized by a black head and constricted neck with mature individuals reaching up to 25 mm (1 in) in length. The pupal stage for males and females is roughly the same amount of time during which a pupa will change from green to light brown in coloration. Mating will occur shortly following emergence from the pupa with an average life span ranging from 6 to 11 days. The reproductive habits of fiery skippers have been extensively studied by Irene Shapiro with experiments conducted at the University of California Davis during the months of July to October 1974. The development of the fiery skipper was studied in laboratory cultures and has proven helpful in understanding the life cycle of this species.
