Hammock Skipper
Polygonus leo
The Hammock Skipper is a dark, fast-flying butterfly of South Florida hardwood hammocks and gardens, marked with small white wing spots.
Hammock Skippers occupy tropical hardwood edges, clearings, gardens, and disturbed woodland in South Florida and the Keys. Adults frequently bask with the wings partly open.
Caterpillars use native and ornamental legumes, while adults visit flowers for nectar. Pesticide-free host and nectar plantings support them.
Habitat:
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
South Florida, Florida Keys
Diet:
Caterpillars eat leaves of legume host plants. Adults drink nectar from lantana, Spanish needles, and other small flowers.
Behavior:
Adults make quick darting flights, perch on sunlit leaves, and defend small openings. Larvae fold leaves into shelters with silk.
Day
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Warm sunny days year-round in South Florida, especially along hammock edges and flowering gardens.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Localized in Florida near the northern edge of its tropical range. Hardwood habitat and host plants support persistence.
Safety Level:
Low Risk
Safety Information:
Harmless to people and pets. Avoid spraying flowering or host plants.
Benefits to Property:
Adults pollinate flowers and caterpillars support birds and other insect-eating wildlife.
Property Concerns:
Caterpillar feeding is minor and rarely damages established plants.
Fun Fact:
Like many skippers, it has a stocky body and hooked antenna tips that distinguish it from most other butterflies.
Wildlife Laws:
No special statewide listing applies. Collection may be restricted in parks and preserves, and pesticide use must follow the label.
Identification:
Look for broad dark brown wings, a blue-green sheen on fresh males, and several small transparent white spots on the forewings. The hindwings carry a few pale marks near the edge.