On the Lookout for Skippers

Tom Allen shares his "Top 5" skippers to look for this season. Try to spot one in your garden.

1. Silver-spotted skipper.

   This large and showy flier is usually seen flying in backyard gardens.

2. Long-tailed skipper.

   This southern species is also large and showy. It has a long tail with iridescent bluish hairs on the topside of the wings.

3. Duskywing skipper.

   This is usually the first skipper to appear in spring, which is a foretelling that winter has finally ended.

4. Orange skippers.

   Depending on where you live, any of the orange skippers are fun to watch for. They are the most difficult to observe because of their quick flight and short stays at flowers. They can also be a challenge to identify, but if you spot one, you're in for a treat.

5. Checkered skipper.

   You'll likely see this flier bouncing through vegetation in a quick erratic flight close to the ground.