How to Know the Butterflies

The Cornell classic that taught America to name what it saw: every eastern butterfly described from life, with its caterpillar, its food-plants, its habits — and how to pronounce its Latin.

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The Cobweb Skipper

Erynnis metea (E-ryn'nis me'te-a) PLATE XL, FIG. 4, 5, 6 The upper surface of the wings is dark brown with whitish spots beyond the middle and tinged with yellow in the male; the male has a brand. This species is most easily recognized by the white markings of the lower side of the hind wings, the row of spots beyond the middle of the wing forming a continuous V-shaped band not interrupted by darker scales on the veins. Expanse of wings one and one-fifth to one and one-third inches.

The common name probably refers to the white markings of the lower side of the hind wings.

The skipper has been taken in New England, New York, and Wisconsin. The larva feeds on grasses.

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