Insects diurnal

Clouded Skipper

Lerema accius

A master of subtle beauty and high-speed maneuvers, the Clouded Skipper is a frequent guest in southern gardens. Look for its signature purplish-gray wings and 'jet-plane' resting pose among your summer blooms.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Wingspan of 32–45 mm (1.25–1.75 inches)

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Colors

Dark chocolate brown to charcoal black forewings with small translucent white spots; underside of hindwing features a unique purplish-gray 'clouded' or frosted appearance.

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Key Features

Purplish-gray 'frosted' patches on the hindwing underside
Three to four small, semi-transparent white spots on the forewing
Wings held in a 'jet-plane' position with forewings upright and hindwings flat
Noticeably long, pointed palpi that resemble a small snout

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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Season March-November (Year-round in Florida and South Texas)

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Diet Adults primarily drink nectar from long-tubed flowers like lantana, shepherd's needle, and zinnia; larvae feed on common lawn grasses including St. Augustine and Bermuda grass.

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Habitat Widespread in suburban gardens, grassy fields, forest edges, and roadsides.

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Behavior

The Clouded Skipper is a high-energy visitor to the backyard, known for its rapid, darting flight pattern that can make it difficult to follow with the naked eye. Unlike the leisurely float of a Monarch, this butterfly zips from flower to flower, often staying low to the ground. When it rests, it frequently adopts the classic 'skipper' pose—holding its forewings at a vertical angle while spreading its hindwings flat, resembling a miniature fighter jet perched on a leaf.

These butterflies are quite territorial, especially the males, who will perch on prominent blades of grass or low-hanging leaves to scan for mates. If another insect enters their 'airspace,' they will often launch a spiraling aerial pursuit to drive the intruder away. While they are active throughout the day, they are most noticeable in the early morning and late afternoon when they spend significant time refueling on nectar to support their high-metabolism lifestyle.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality images of the Clouded Skipper, you need to focus your camera on their preferred 'fueling stations.' These butterflies are particularly attracted to purple and pink flowers with deep nectar tubes. Position your camera approximately 12 to 18 inches away from a cluster of Lantana or Vervain in a sunny, wind-sheltered spot. Because they are dark-colored, they can easily look like a black silhouette in high-contrast mid-day sun; try to set your camera so the sun is behind the lens to illuminate the subtle purplish 'clouding' on their wings.

Since Clouded Skippers are small and move incredibly fast, standard motion sensors on trail cameras may struggle to trigger in time. If your camera allows, use a high-sensitivity PIR setting or a 'Time Lapse' mode set to take a photo every 5-10 seconds during peak morning hours. Using a camera with a high frame rate for video—at least 60fps—will help you slow down their rapid movements during playback to see the wing patterns clearly. If you are using a backyard AI camera, placing it near the edge of a lawn where the grass meets a flower bed is ideal, as this captures both their nectar-feeding and their territorial perching behavior.

A unique trick for attracting these skippers for a close-up is to create a 'puddling' station. Place a shallow saucer filled with damp sand, a bit of compost, and a pinch of sea salt near your camera. Clouded Skippers, like many butterflies, will land on the damp sand to sip minerals and salts. This behavior keeps them stationary for several minutes, providing the perfect window for a sharp, clear photo that a fast-moving flower visit might not allow. Keep the sand consistently moist for the best results throughout the summer heat.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Clouded Skipper.

Dun Skipper

Lacks the white spots on the forewing and the purplish-gray 'clouded' frosting on the underside.

Eufala Skipper

Smaller and more grayish-brown overall, without the dark clouded patches on the hindwing underside.

Ocola Skipper

Has much longer, more pointed forewings and lacks the purplish sheen on the underside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clouded Skipper are most active during the sunniest parts of the day, typically from mid-morning (9 AM) until late afternoon (5 PM). They are 'sun-loving' insects and require the warmth to power their fast-flight muscles.

The best way to attract Clouded Skipper is to provide both nectar and host plants. Plant nectar-rich flowers like Lantana, Zinnias, and Salvia. Additionally, maintaining a patch of St. Augustine or Bermuda grass provides a place for them to lay eggs and for their caterpillars to feed.

As adults, Clouded Skipper feed on nectar from a variety of flowers. As caterpillars, they are 'grass-feeders,' specializing in common turf grasses like St. Augustine, Bermuda, and various species of Erianthus.

Yes, they are very common in suburban environments because their larvae feed on common lawn grasses. They have adapted well to human landscapes and are one of the most frequently seen skippers in Southern US backyards.

Look for the 'clouded' purplish-gray frosting on the underside of their hindwings and their distinctive 'jet-plane' resting posture. Unlike many other small brown butterflies, they have very long, prominent mouthparts (palpi) that look like a tiny nose.

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