top of page

Spread-wing Skipper Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

GENUS HELIOPETES

Genus Heliopetes is a genus of medium-sized skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, widely distributed from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America. Commonly known as white skippers, members of this genus are easily recognized by their predominantly white or pale grey wings marked with contrasting black, brown, or grey spots and bands. Their bright coloration distinguishes them from many other skippers, which are often darker in appearance. Heliopetes species inhabit open, sunny environments such as grasslands, scrublands, deserts, roadsides, agricultural areas, tropical dry forests, and gardens, where adults frequently visit flowers for nectar.

HELIOPETES - SPREAD-WING SKIPPERS - SPECIES
bottom of page