I was enamored by this diminuitive butterfly that has been drawn to the lavendar flowers in my yard this year. They are very petite - no more than a 1" wingspan and I found the posture of their wings fascinating.
I pulled out my Peterson Field Guide to the Moths but couldn't find a thing. So I posted this image on Facebook to ask for some direction. Within minutes, I had 5 people pointing me toward the skippers and another suggested a Northern Broken Dash. All are butterflies, not moths!
So I put away the moth book and started looking at skippers. I also posted another picture showing a different angle and got another vote for the Northern Broken Dash and a suggestion to look at the Crossline Skipper.
I went to the Butterflies of America site and looked at multiple images of Crossline Skippers side-by-side with my images. It sure looked like a match!
But then I did the same with images of the Northern Broken Dash. Now I'm more confused than ever!
So I'll just post a few more pictures and if anyone can definitively identify this interesting little butterfly, I'd really appreciate it! Have fun with it!
(To help with ID, click on any image to enlarge).
Thanks for your help!!
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Dawn, hey you knew it was a skipper, which was ahead of me!
Kara, thanks, I'm glad I put it in then.
Margaret, you're right, it does!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | July 14, 2012 at 06:10 PM
Your little winged friend resembles the Space Shuttle!
Posted by: Margaret_Peg | July 13, 2012 at 03:10 PM
Love that last picture!
Posted by: kara | July 13, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Wish I could help..I am still learning. Will look at the book and try and figure it out too.
Posted by: Dawn Fine | July 12, 2012 at 11:24 AM