Excerpts from Jim Conrad's
Naturalist Newsletter

Checkered Skipper, genus PYRGUS

from the April 18, 2010 Newsletter issued from Hacienda Chichen Resort beside Chichén Itzá Ruins, central Yucatán, MÉXICO; limestone bedrock, elevation ~39m (~128ft), ~N18.52°, ~W95.15°
CHECKERED SKIPPER

A white-dotted butterfly zipped across the trail and landed on a rock, spreading his wings against the early-morning sun. He was a little similar to the Tulcis Crescent that was so abundant awhile back, but different. I snapped his picture, which you can see above.

As usual I sent the picture to butterfly-ID volunteer Bea in Ontario and this time instead of replying with a single choice she gave me three. After reviewing her links for each of the three I understood, for I couldn't see the differences between them.

On the Internet a technical paper acknowledges the problem. Basically you need to dissect the butterflies and examine their genitalia.

Therefore: There's a grouping of butterfly species known as the Checkered Skippers. That's what we'll call the one in the picture, but who knows which Checkered Skipper it is?