Fiery Skipper Facts & Information

What do fiery skippers look like?

Fiery skippers are small butterflies with a wingspan of about 1 to 1.5 inches. They have bright orange wings with dark brown spots and borders. Their body is stout, and they have a characteristic fast, darting flight pattern.

What do fiery skippers eat?

Adult fiery skippers feed on nectar from a variety of flowers, preferring those with shallow blooms. As caterpillars, they primarily feed on the leaves of grasses, including Bermuda grass and St. Augustine grass.

What sort of habitat do fiery skippers live in?

Fiery skippers are commonly found in gardens, lawns, meadows, and open fields where their host grasses and nectar sources are abundant. They thrive in warm, sunny environments and are often seen basking in the sun.

How do fiery skippers commonly behave?

Fiery skippers are known for their rapid, skipping flight, which makes them appear as if they are “skipping” from flower to flower. They are diurnal and are most active during warm, sunny days. The larvae create shelters by folding or tying grass blades together with silk.

Did you know this about fiery skippers?

Fiery skippers are part of the Hesperiidae family, commonly known as the skipper family, which is named for their quick, skipping flight patterns. Interestingly, fiery skipper caterpillars can sometimes become pests in lawns, particularly in turfgrass, where they feed on the grass blades, causing damage that appears as brown patches. Additionally, despite their small size, fiery skippers can be seen year-round in warmer climates, continuously contributing to pollination.