Polites vibex

Description

Polites vibex, or the whirlabout, is a grass skipper in the family Hesperiidae. The whirlabout gets its name from the landing and take off flight patterns of the adult – a circular or vortex or whirling motion. It is resident from the southeastern U.S. and West Indies to eastern Mexico through the tropics down to Argentina. During the warmer North American months, it can sometimes be found as far north as Ohio, Connecticut, and northeast Iowa. The wingspan is 25–38 mm (0.98–1.50 in). North of the equator, it flies all year and migrates north in late summer and fall. The larvae feed on grasses mainly at night. Eggs are white and laid one at a time on the host plants.