The Butterflies of the World Foundation
A Non-
Pasture Skipper
Vehilius stictomenes, Mabille, 1891
Subfamily Hesperiinae
Tribe Moncini
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Vehilius stictomenes, Foetoenakaba village, Suriname, 29 May 2007 Ref #: I-
Taxonomy
The family Hesperiidae includes all butterflies that are collectively called skippers because of their fast skipping flight. This family is the sole member of the Superfamily Hesperioidea. Whereas, the other five families of butterflies belong to the Superfamily Papilionoidea. So, skippers are considered butterflies, but they have a few traits different than the species of “True” butterflies found in the Superfamily Papilionoidea. Some of these traits include large eyes, short antennae (often with hooked clubs) and stout bodies. Most also have a very rapid flight with a fast, almost blurred, wing beat. There are about 3,500 species of skippers and they’re further divided into seven subfamilies. They occur worldwide with more found in the tropics. Most species are brown or tan, but some tropical members can be quite colorful.
General Information:
Vehilius stictomenes belongs to the subfamily Hesperiinae. This species is extremely common and is found throughout much of Central and tropical South America in a variety of habitats including riverbanks, forest glades, edges and clearings, fields and pastures, roadsides, parks and gardens.
Lifecycle:
The lifecycle of this species is not well known.
Vehilius stictomenes, Foetoenakaba village, Suriname, 29 May 2007 Ref #: I-
Vehilius stictomenes, Foetoenakaba village, Suriname, 29 May 2007 Ref #: I-