UK Butterflies

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Fiery Skipper

Hylephila phyleus

hi-lee-FY-luh FY-lee-us

Checklist Number
57.0071

Fiery Skipper

Hylephila phyleus

hi-lee-FY-luh FY-lee-us

Checklist Number
57.0071


Two specimens of the Fiery Skipper, a butterfly native to the Americas, were caught by a Mr. W. Raddon from a location near Barnstaple, Devon. It is thought the butterflies were transported by ship in one of the immature stages. Stephens (1827) subsequently describes and illustrates the species in volume 1 of Illustrations of British Entomology; or, A synopsis of indigenous insects: containing their generic and specific distinctions where, using the scientific name Pamphila Bucephalus, he writes:

"Taken in the neighbourhood of Barnstaple in Devonshire." - W. Raddon, Esq., who possessed two specimens of the insect, which he assures me were captured by himself in the above locality several years since. I have therefore on his testimony admitted the species; but I cannot avoid surmising that its origin is questionable, and that the specimens above alluded to were probably imported in one of their earlier states, among the timber or other stores which Mr. Raddon acquaints me came direct from the North American continent to Barnstaple. I am induced to say thus much from the circumstance of the section of the genus to which this insect belongs being without any other exception exclusively found in America; but it is nevertheless possible that the eastern hrait of the group may extend to the west of Europe; at all events it is necessary for me to notice the communication; and I have also, through the kindness of Mr. Raddon, given a figure of the insect, as it appears to be a nondescript, in order to enable others to recognise it, should they be fortunate enough to ascertain any thing further relative to the real origin of the species; but for my sentiments respecting the admission of similar species into the Fauna of any country, I must refer to the observations subjoined to Deilephila Celerio, and here express my opinion that the present insect is an imported species and not an aboriginal native of Britain.

Emmet (1990) elaborates on date of capture, suggesting that it was "about 1820", but gives no explanation for this conclusion.

Highslide JS

Illustrations of British Entomology, Volume 1, Plate 10

This species was first defined in Drury (1773a) as shown here and as shown in this plate (type locality: Antigua).

 
Family:HesperiidaeLatreille, 1809
Subfamily:HesperiinaeLatreille, 1809
Tribe:  
Genus:HylephilaBillberg, 1820
Subgenus:  
Species:phyleus(Drury, 1773)