This is a Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon), sometimes called the Southern Dimorphic Skipper. This little grass skipper rests with it’s slim, triangular hindwings opened farther than the forewings, in what is known as the “jet-plane position”. It’s habitat include moist forests, woodland clearings, and near streams. The caterpillars food plants are grasses, and the adult butterflies foodplants include honeysuckle, joe-pye weed, milkweed, thistles, and red clover. I have seen these little butterflies daily for the past couple of weeks, on various flowers throughout the yard including the yellow lantana. Click any photo to view larger.
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Zabulon Skipper on ivy leaf
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Viewed from above
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Jet-fighter position, closeup side view, head-on view
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Very cute! It does look like a little jet.
Thanks for visiting, LA723. They are pretty cute!