Skipper moth on one of our Zinnias. They love these things!

Rest Stop

I found this little skipper moth resting on a Zinnia leaf in what's
left of our garden. The butterflies and moths are few and far
between these days now that the flowers are dying out. I'm
already counting the days until next spring :)

"A garden is never so good as it will be next year." ~ Thomas Cooper

The Amazing Skipper Moth

It's amazing how many different kinds of skipper moths there
are. Our garden is full of them! They love the yellow pistils on
our zinnias. I guess that's where all the nectar is.


The long, coiled tube the moth sticks into the flower is called
a proboscis.


Here's lookin' at you!

Garden Friends :)

I was in the garden the other day when this little skipper moth
landed on my hand. He sat there long enough for me to snap a
picture.


Up close and personal with a Swallowtail butterfly enjoying
one of our Zinnia flowers.

Zinnia Skippers

Four Skippers enjoying some nectar from one of our Zinnias.


I love these little insects :)

Skippers

I thought these little winged creatures were moths. After
some internet research I found out that these are actully
called Skippers.

Although Skippers appear to be moths, they are actually a
third group that is related to both butterflies and moths.
Skippers, like moths and butterflies, are found worldwide.
Skippers share characteristics with both moths and butterflies
and sometimes have the appearance of being a cross between
the two. There are, however, groups of characteristics that
allow observers to confidently identify skippers.

Skippers can be the most difficult butterfly species to identify;
their markings are maddeningly similar.


Notice the curly tongue. Too cool!