Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)

Uncommon but statewide in distribution, these small butterflies have two broods in NC, late Spring and late Summer into Fall. Identification of this species can be tricky, especially in the piedmont where the very similar Crossline Skipper is more common.

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Longleaf Pine Savanna, Carteret Co., NC
31 Aug 2008

Nectaring on Yellow Balduina (Balduina uniflora)

	Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) Longleaf Pine Savanna, Carteret Co., NC 31 Aug 2008 Under-hindwing markings in this species are highly variable from virtually no post-median spot band to a strong post-median spot band. Note that the veins are not lightened.

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Longleaf Pine Savanna, Carteret Co., NC
25 Aug 2018


Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) Green Swamp, Brunswick Co., NC 21 Apr 2017	Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) Longleaf Pine Savanna, Carteret Co., NC 25 Aug 2018

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Durham Division Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
6 Sep 2020

Not positive that Crossline Skipper can be ruled out?

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Durham Division Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
27 Sep 2020

Not positive that Crossline Skipper can be ruled out?


Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) Umstead S.P., Wake Co., NC 11 Aug 2023

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Durham Division Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
30 Aug 2020

Not positive that Crossline Skipper can be ruled out?

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Durham Division Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
23 Aug 2020

Not positive that Crossline Skipper can be ruled out?


Tawny-edged Skipper with Swarthy Skipper on Lobelia Durham Division Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC 27 Sep 2020	Tawny-edged Skipper with Swarthy Skipper on Liatris Durham Division Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC 11 Aug 2023

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Harnett Co., NC
29 May 2005


Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) New Hanover Co., NC 28 Aug 2004	Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) Carteret Co., NC 29 Aug 2004


Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) Nectaring on Erigeron Brunswick Co., NC 15 May 2004	Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) New Hanover Co., NC 28 August 2004

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Craven Co., NC
26 Aug 2012

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Holly Shelter, Pender Co., NC
11 Sep 2016


Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles), female Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005	Probably Tawny-edged (can't rule out Crossline, though) Durham Co., NC 4 Sep 2005

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) or possible Crossline Skipper (P. origines)
Durham Co., NC
13 Sep 2020

Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles)
Four Mile Creek, Teller Co., CO
11 July 2016


Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 25 Sep 2016

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Created on ... May 16, 2004 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com