Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1235665

California Giant-Skipper
Agathymus stephensi

Observation date: September 28, 2019
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: These were in a wind cave very strange as we always thought they were seeking shelter, fairly sure they were all males. Anyway they were on closer examination using there proboscis to sip minerals like the salt they also liked from my hand. They were very calm and approachable even to the point of climbing onto my finger this is for Jeffery Ha Ha all in fun as this in the index finger! Yes salt from eating pumpkin seeds or other salty food is the only attractant is very helpful as they like salt? Windy cool for this time of year wind 15 with gusts higher clear mostly some drizzle in mountains. Also a peak at the patterns of the topside its worth looking at when they cooperate! Not sure we saw any females probably not as all were this size an female's are quite a bit larger!
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: September 30, 2019
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, California, San Diego County