Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Hesperiidæ, Stephens.
Genus. Pamphila, Fabr. Hesperia (urbicolæ), Fabr. Latr. et God. Papilio (Pleb. urb.) Drury, Linn.
Pamphila Phylæus. Alis rufo-fulvis, anticis supra fasciâ obliquâ interruptâ (mas.) maculâve arcuatâ (fœmina) limboque postico fuscis, posticis ibidem extùs fusco marginatis. (Expans. Alar. 1½ unc.).
Syn. Papilio (Hesp. urb.) Phylæus, Drury, Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 767. No. 112. (Hesperia Ph.)
Hesperia (urb.) Vitellius, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 327. No.. 240
Pamphila Vitellius, Steph. Illust. Brit. Ent. H. 1. p. 103. Haworth, in Trans. Ent. Soc. Vol. 1. p. 334. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georgia, tab. 17.
Habitat: Antigua, St. Christopher's, Nevis, &c. (Drury). Antilles and Brazil (Enc. Méth.).
Upper Side. Thorax and abdomen of a yellowish olive. Superior wings of a tawny yellow, having a dark brown (almost a black) indented margin, running along the external margin, from the tips to the lower corners. Near the middle of each wing are two dark-brown spots, one oblong, the other of a longish square form, the former being the largest. Inferior wings tawny yellow, and angulated, having a dark brown indented margin.
Under Side. Wings tawny yellow, but rather paler than on the upper side. The anterior with several dark brown angular spots, placed along the external edges, and in the middle of the wings, with a large one near the shoulders. Posterior wings also spotted with many small dark brown spots, some being scarcely visible.
A specimen of this species is stated to have been captured by the late Dr. Abbot in Bedfordshire. It is most probable, however, now that the Pamphila Bucephalus has been proved to be an indigenous species, that the specimen the capture of which is recorded by Mr. Haworth, belonged to that species. The caterpillar of this skipper-butterfly feeds upon a species of panic grass (Panicum Crus-Galli) and on the buffalo grass.