Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Least skipper

Least skipper

Ancyloxypha numitor

A species of Ancyloxypha

The least skipper's rounded wings and slender body are distinctive. Their checkered antennae have no hooks. Males lack stigmata. The upper sides of the forewings are dark brownish black sometimes having a patch of orange. The hindwing is orange with a broad dark brownish-black band surrounding the orange area completely. The underside of the wings is orange with the hindwing discal area being a little bit darker. The hindwing veins are whitish. Its wingspan ranges from 17 to 26 mm.

General Info About Least skipper
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Least skipper
Colors
Black
White
Orange
Habitat
The least skipper favors damp or wet habitats with tall grasses.
Adult Food Sources
Lantana, aster, coreopsis, eupatorium, solidago
Larva Food Source
Grasses, cyperus, dichanthelium, leersia, panicum
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Least skipper feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Least skipper
Secure
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Least skipper
North American
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Least skipper
Egg The least skipper begins life as a tiny, often oval-shaped egg. During this stage, the egg's size and color can vary but generally remains inconspicuous to avoid predation. The embryonic least skipper develops within, preparing to hatch.
Larva Upon hatching, the least skipper enters the larval stage, commonly referred to as a caterpillar. It is primarily a feeding stage, with the least skipper having a tubular body, chewing mouthparts, and distinctive striping or coloring for camouflage or warning.
Pupal During the pupal stage, the least skipper is encased in a chrysalis where it undergoes a radical transformation. The body structure is completely reorganized. It does not feed and remains immobile, with coloration that blends with the surroundings.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult least skipper’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction and nectar feeding.
Rectangle
Adult Size of Least skipper
Wingspan 1.8 - 2 cm
Rectangle
Predators of Least skipper Larvae
Birds, spiders, rodents, wasps, ants
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Least skipper
Tips for Finding Least skipper
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Least skipper
Grasslands and Prairies, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Least skipper
Grasslands and Prairies, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
Rectangle
How Can You Attract Least skipper
Least skipper adults are attracted to various flowers for nectar, so baiting traps with sweet and fragrant substances can be an effective way to attract them.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Least skipper Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of least skipper are typically laid on the underside of host plant leaves, often found in damp environments or near bodies of water. During the larval stage, least skipper caterpillars are found on or near their food plants, within shelters of rolled or tied leaves. As pupae, least skipper can be found in well-concealed chrysalides among leaf litter or vegetation close to the ground. To search for each development stage, check the respective habitats: examine the undersides of leaves for eggs, inspect leaf shelters for caterpillars, and sift through leaf litter or near the base of plants for pupae.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Least skipper
The most suitable time for finding least skipper would be during the day when they are most active, especially in the late morning or early afternoon.
Are Least skipper harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Beneficial Effects of Least skipper
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Pollinator
Pollinator
Prefer Plant Type
Asteraceae
Attract Plant Feature
Color
Least skipper is a small but effective pollinator. As it moves from flower to flower to feed on nectar, it inadvertently picks up pollen on its body, facilitating cross-pollination among Asteraceae. This ensures the diversity and continuity of many plant species.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Least skipper
Erichson's white-skipper
Erichson's white-skipper

Heliopyrgus domicella is a butterfly from the family of the Heliopyrgus domicella (Hesperiidae). The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1848 by Erichson.

Read More
Arrow
Dull Firetip
Dull Firetip

Read More
Arrow
Russet skipperling
Russet skipperling

Piruna pirus is a butterfly from the family of the Piruna pirus (Hesperiidae). The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1878 by William Henry Edwards.

Read More
Arrow
Chisos skipperling
Chisos skipperling

The MONA or Hodges number for Piruna haferniki is 3986.

Read More
Arrow
Northern large darter
Northern large darter

The wingspan is about 3 cm.

Read More
Arrow
Dark palm-dart
Dark palm-dart

The dark palm-dart is a swift-flying organism known for its darting flight pattern, often seen gliding near bamboos, its larval host plant. With compelling agility, adults display an apricot-orange hue on their wings, exhibiting vivid seasonal dimorphism. During the cooler months, they adopt darker, richer colors to absorb sunlight, whereas, in their summer form, lighter tones prevail for heat reflection. This species is a prime study for the relationship between wing coloration and thermoregulation.

Read More
Arrow
Pale palm dart
Pale palm dart

Adorning the sunlit clearings and edges of forests, pale palm dart thrives in diverse habitats, from sea level to hilly regions. Its life cycle begins as an inconspicuous ovum, which transforms into a voracious larva feeding on the leaves of various grass species. As an adult, it boasts brilliant orange wings with contrasting black borders, a visual spectacle witnessed during rapid, darting flights as it navigates between nectar sources and mates.

Read More
Arrow
Glassy-winged skipper
Glassy-winged skipper

Xenophanes tryxus is a butterfly from the family of the Xenophanes tryxus (Hesperiidae). The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1780 by Stoll.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow