Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

Little Glassywing is common in N.C., but can be tricky to identify. One key mark to look for to separate it from the very similar Dun Skipper is the white spot just beneath the black antennal club.

Durham Co., NC 8/10/08.

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

Croatan National Forest, Craven Co., NC 8/26/2012.

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

This one is nicely showing the "glassy" wing panel for which it was named. Alleghany Co., NC 6/25/05.

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

Like Dun Skipper, a fresh Little Glassywing may show a golden head. Note the white spots beneath the antennal clubs.

Male, Durham Co., NC 8/10/08.

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

Above, Little Glassywing shows a large pair of spots in the center of the forewing. A male Dun would have no spots here; a female smaller, unpaired spots. This can be identified as a male by the long, squarish abdomen shape.

Same individual.

Male, Durham Co., NC 8/10/08.

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

This very fresh individual had a purplish sheen and golden head and looked unmarked until it opened up its wings. Pasquotank Co., NC 9/29/2001.

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

This one is much more boldly spotted than average. Guilford Co., NC 7/31/2004.

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

Another boldly spotted fresh individual. Orange Co., NC 5/12/2002.

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

The butterfly is named for the "glassy" windows in the forewing, which is not visible when the wings are folded shut. Note the white spot beneath the antennal club - one of the key field marks. Carroll Co., VA 6/30/02.

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

Durham Co., NC 7/27/2004.

Smooth Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata)

This heavily-spotted Little Glassywing is nectaring on a wild Smooth Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata)

Granville Co., NC 6/4/05.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.