October 4, 2025

Here, a Sachem Skipper (Atalopedes campestris), on a Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). What is a Skipper? A Skipper is a type of Butterfly. And a Moth is another type of insect in the same order as the Butterflies and Skippers, Lepidoptera.

Butterflies, Skippers and Moths tend to be a bit confusing. Their differences include their time of activity. In general Moths are active at night, while Butterflies and Skippers are usually active during the day. Their antennae are another difference. The antennae of Moths are feathery, and fernlike, or long and pointed. Butterflies have antennae that are long and thin with clubbed tips. And the antennae of Skippers are also long and thin but have pointed hooks on the tips.

There is also a difference in their posture as they rest. Moths keep their wings flat when at rest or held together over their body. Butterflies will generally hold their wings together over their body but on occasion will keep their wings flat. Skippers hold their front wings in a V shape while their hind wings are kept flat, out to the sides.

Whether a Moth, a Butterfly or a Skipper, they’re all beautiful!

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