[TN-Butterflies] Re: Skipper ID?

Thanks to all who responded.  There were several personal email responses, so 
I'll summarize them for the group.

All of the respondents argued for Clouded Skipper or Little Glassywing, or both.

The Little Glassywing proponents pointed to the white patch below the antennal 
club, citing Glassberg's description.

The Clouded Skipper proponents based their identification mainly on the size 
and shape of the size and shape of the FW cell spot; most felt that my photo 
showed it being smaller and more rounded than the typical large 
square/rectangular cell spot of the Little Glassywing.  The flight period was 
mentioned, too; the peak of the fall Clouded Skipper flight is later than that 
of the Little Glassywing.  Also, it appears that the edge of the "dusted" area 
is barely discernable on the underside of the FW, near the apex.  Finally, 
overall shape was mentioned.

Regarding the white patch on the below the antennal club, I see that 
Glassberg's entry on the Little Glassywing (in BTB) lists only the Dun Skipper 
and Northern Broken-dash as similar species, at least explicitly.  I wonder if 
the antenna characteristic was intended only as a means of distinguishing among 
these three.  Further, I see that one of Glassberg's photos of the Clouded 
Skipper (Plate 64, lower right corner) appears to show a white sub-club patch.

Thanks again to all who responded.

Doug Bruce
Oak Ridge, TN
Anderson Co.


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Doug Bruce 
  To: TN Butterflies 
  Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 2:04 PM
  Subject: [TN-Butterflies] Skipper ID?


  There was so much snow on the roads this morning that my workplace closed.  
So I braced myself with a cup of hot chocolate and resolutely began reviewing 
this season's ambiguous skipper photos.

  Here's one that might not be impossible.  The attached photos were shot at 
the Sink Mountain Recreation Area, along Watauga Lake in Johnson County, on 
October 9, 2010.  Both photos are of the same individual.

  Does anyone want to venture an ID?  Maybe Clouded Skipper?

  Thanks,

  Doug Bruce
  Oak Ridge, TN
  Anderson Co.

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