A Fiery Skipper In May

May 11, 2026

A Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) resting on a leaf of a Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium). It is a butterfly in the family Hesperiidae.

As adults they have a short life of approximately 6 to 11 days. During this short life they concentrate on nectar feeding and reproduction.

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Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.

2 thoughts on “A Fiery Skipper In May”

  1. I’m waiting with bated breathe for this years crop of Fiery Skippers. Also for the note, I’ve seen fireflies as of May 9.

    1. Hi Ken! It’s interesting that Fiery Skippers show up throughout the late spring, into summer, rather than many all at once. I was pleased to see this one, and look forward to seeing many more as spring turns to summer. I still have not seen a Lightning Bug, but my granddaughter just this past weekend reported to me that she had seen one in Batesville. I’m looking forward to seeing my first! So very pleased that you read my musings! Bren

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