Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka)

Palatka Skippers are found in and near coastal marshes with sawgrass (Cladium jamaicensis), their host plant, thus they are restricted in range to the immediate tidewater areas of the coast. Two-brooded, Palatka Skippers are on the wing May-July and Sep-Oct in NC, and can be common in the right habitat.

Palakta Skippers are large and are mostly unmarked below with the costal margin of the underforewing being contrastingly lighter tawny-orange. They are frequently described as looking like a giant Tawny-edged Skipper. They are nectar generalists feeding on many species of flowers, exemplified by the photos below on Solidago, Agalinis, and two species of Eupatorium.


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005	Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka), Female Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka), Female Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005	Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005	Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Dare Co., NC 2 Oct 2005


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Dare Co., NC 16 Sep 2006	Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Dare Co., NC 16 Sep 2006


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Washington Co., NC 21 June 2006


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Manteo, Dare Co., NC 4 Sep 2023	Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Manteo, Dare Co., NC 4 Sep 2023


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Manteo, Dare Co., NC 4 Sep 2023	Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Manteo, Dare Co., NC 4 Sep 2023


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Manteo, Dare Co., NC 4 Sep 2023	Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Manteo, Dare Co., NC 4 Sep 2023


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Manteo, Dare Co., NC 4 Sep 2023

Below are Florida Palatka Skippers

Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka)
Collier Co., FL
23 Dec 2013


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 25 Sep 2016	Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 25 Sep 2016


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 28 Sep 2016	Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Naples, Collier Co., FL 27 Sep 2016

Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka)
Naples, Collier Co., FL
27 Sep 2016


Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 4 Mar 2017	Palatka Skipper (Euphyes pilatka) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 4 Mar 2017

Palatka Skipper caterpillars use sawgrass for a host plant. Sawgrass fruting stalks can be seen as the dark structures sticking up in the middle of this marsh.

Dare Co., NC
16 Sep 2006

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Created on ... Oct 5, 2005 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com