Hayhurst's Scallopwing
Female - July 2021
The Hayhurst's Scallopwing (Staphylus hayhurstii) is a tiny dark brown Spread-Wing Skipper with namesake scalloped wings like a seashell!! The gold and silver flecking details remind me of a starry sky. It’s always hard to choose but this species has to be one of my favorites!!!!!!
Female - July 2021
This awesome Hayhurst's Scallopwing returned to its favorite freshly sprouted Pink Fuzzybean bloom several times, beautifully sunlit amid a mainly shaded edge of the habitat. The butterfly stayed low to the ground moving with a lilting flight through vegetation, making it quite difficult to track. Thankfully there were several to observe along the quiet road.
Female - July 2021
On this day in July, the butterflies were all staying around this small shady patch along the road and were very active while feeding. After a while most would fly off to take very brief moments of rest on perches at the forest edge. This one decided on a small leaf right in front of me and only stayed for about 3 seconds allowing for one flash photo. The scalloped shape of the hindwing is nicely depicted in this image and really does looks like a scallop seashell.
Female - July 2021
This photo was quite a challenge as the leaves were blowing in the wind, in and out of the sunlight. The summer breeze finally let up for just a bit.
After a bunch of tries I was able to get a nice view of this female. Note the large abdomen as compared with the male pictured below.
Female - July 2021
This photo has a nice representation of how the butterfly’s forewings exhibit a slight downward bend. Where other Spread-Winged Skippers can close their wings fully parallel, Scallopwings have wingtips that fold outward a bit when the wings are closed.
Female - July 2021
Once again Field Clover proves to be an amazing pollinator-friendly bloom as even Scallopwings love them.
Female - July 2021
This was kind of a cool image as the butterfly looks as if she is staring right at the camera!!
Female - July 2021
This individual landed on the far side of the flower and made its way forward to the top of the bloom as I took a burst of several photos - this one was one of my favorites.
Male - July 2021
Note the difference in abdomen size apparent in the dorsal view of this male.
Female - July 2021
Male - July 2021
