Peck's Skippers

Who is Peck, and why does he have a skipper? These are just two questions surrounding this pair of Peck's Skippers.

Peck's Skippers are grass skippers, named because the females lay eggs on various types of grass, and as caterpillars they eat those grasses. The females are darker, so I wouldn't be surprised if the one in the front is a female being courted by the male in the back.

They were named after William Dandridge Peck, an American naturalist considered to be the first native-born American entomologist. This butterfly wasn't (as fair as we know) his favorite butterfly; it was named after him as an honor rather than because of a personal connection to it.
July 27, 2021 at Washington Valley Park
Photo 148653335, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)



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