August 1, 2025

A Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna) sipping nectar from the many flowers of Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum).

The Little Glassywing is a skipper belonging to the order Lepidoptera, an order of winged insects which includes butterflies and moths. True butterflies (not Skippers) belong to the superfamily Papillonoidea. Skippers belong to the superfamily Hesperioidea. Which leaves us with moths that are included not in a superfamily but in many, many families.

The differences among these three; butterflies, skippers, and moths are sometimes easy, other times not. Butterflies have clubbed antennae, ending in a simple, rounded knob. Skippers have antennae that are clubbed but that club has a sharp, often hooked tip. Moths antennae are generally spindle-shaped, feathery, or thread-like but they never end with a knob.

Their bodies are generally different. Butterflies have a slim body. Skippers have a plump body. Moths also have a plump body, and they also often have a furry body. And while true butterflies are generally brightly colored, skippers are most often wearing drab colors. And lastly skippers rest with their wings at varied angles while true butterflies often will rest with their wings either open and flat, or neatly folded up in the ventral position.

 I’m thoroughly enjoying seeing these winged insects. I’m hoping you are too.

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