At first, i thought this might be a Crescent but now i'm thinking it might be some type of Checkered-Skipper like a Tropical Checkered-Skipper (Pygus oileus), or possibly a Desert Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus philetas) [not too much desert around here though but this does seem to be part of its territory], or maybe a Guatemalan C. Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis adepta)? Or maybe i'm looking in the wrong place altogether. Any ideas? Thank you.
Given the intra-species variations in wing patterns, I hesitate to be certain, but I'm leaning towards it being Pyrgus albescens - http://bugguide.net/node/view/80486/bgimage
After reading the conversation below the photo at the bugguide.net site, looks like they don't seem to come to a definitive conclusion either. It appears that the photo at bugguide is a male, and my photo is a female. I was told by someone at NABA that many tropical butterflies are so similar the only way to make a certain ID is by removing and examining the sex organs. I don't think i'd want to do that even if i knew how. So, i'll go with P. albescens (possible P. philetas and/or P. communis adepta). That's close enough for me. Once again, thank you so much :D
Although checkered skippers are variable and several are possible in your location. This is either a tropical or desert checkered skipper. They are very similar but I think they can be separated by phenotype. I believe this is a Tropical checkered skipper based upon locale and the large cell end spot, size of white marginal spots on HW, and the FW fringe near the tip where dark checks run together.
Regardless, it's a checkered skipper.
I just felt that the wing margin markings, particularly the costa and subcosta of the front wing and fringe of the hind wing, appeared more consistent with those on P. albescens than on its congeners. However, as I indicated, I am not at all confident of any specific i.d. based on the images - genitalia examination should nail it...
Thank you for the observations shorthog...haven't seen you around for awhile and was hoping you were not in the path of the tornado surge. btw, love your turtle.
And Mr. Flapdoodle...not on my butterfly you don't...now i am going out to buy her a Malvaceae so she will have a place to put her eggs. :D
