Ancyloxypha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ancyloxypha |
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| Two Least Skippers mating | |
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Ancyloxypha
C. Felder, 1862
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Ancyloxypha is a group of small, delicate butterflies. They belong to a special family called Hesperiidae. These butterflies are often called "skippers" because of their unique way of flying. They move very fast and in a jerky, skipping motion! This group includes some well-known butterflies, like the tiny Least Skipper.
About Ancyloxypha Butterflies
Butterflies in the Ancyloxypha group are generally quite small. They often have slender bodies and narrow wings. Like all butterflies, they start their lives as caterpillars. These caterpillars eat plants, then turn into a chrysalis, and finally emerge as beautiful adult butterflies.
What is a Genus?
In biology, a "genus" is a way to group living things that are very similar. It's like a small family within a larger family. All the species in the Ancyloxypha genus share many common features. They are all closely related to each other. The name Ancyloxypha was first given by Baron Cajetan von Felder in 1862.
Species of Ancyloxypha
The Ancyloxypha genus includes several different kinds of butterflies. Each one is called a "species." While they all look a bit alike, each species has its own unique details.
Here are some of the species found in the Ancyloxypha genus:
- Ancyloxypha arene – This butterfly is sometimes known as the Tropical Least Skipper. It was identified by Edwards in 1871.
- Ancyloxypha aurea – Hayward described this species in 1940.
- Ancyloxypha dryas – This species was also identified by Hayward, in 1942.
- Ancyloxypha melanoneura – C. & R. Felder named this one in 1867.
- Ancyloxypha nitedula – Burmeister identified this species in 1878.
- Ancyloxypha numitor – This is the famous Least Skipper. It is a very common and tiny butterfly, first described by Fabricius in 1793.
- Ancyloxypha ramba – Evans identified this species in 1955.
