Chequered skipper  (Carterocephalus palaemon)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

As the name suggests, this small, fast-flying, chocolate-brown butterfly has a chequered patterning on both the hind- and forewings. Although the sexes are similar in appearance, females are somewhat larger than males (1). The caterpillar grows to 2.3 centimetres in length; before it undergoes hibernation it is green with darker green and white lines, but after emerging it becomes brownish white, with pinkish-brown and white lines (5).

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