Is this a moth?

I was out and about looking for some macro material. I caught this little guy feeding. Is this a moth? These are pretty common around here.
Also, Im using a laptop and I cant tell too well if the colors are off. Thanks.

Lovely shot- no it's a skipper butterfly - often mistaken for moths.
Brian V.

LordV wrote in post #4008832
Lovely shot- no it's a skipper butterfly - often mistaken for moths.
Brian V.

Thank you kindly LovrdV.

Brian, I thought skippers were a seperate species and not moths or butterflies? But then again, I do not know much about the insect world.

Yes a skipper. Nice capture as well.

Thanks skylab.

Im new to the whole names thing too Photo.

Skippers are usually classed as butterflies because they are day flying and have clubbed antennae. They are a separate order though, called hesperiids. The whole butterfly/moth thing is a bit vague anyway, and the classification has little scientific rationale. In any case, they're all lepidoptera.

Thanks for the info eccles.

As eccles states - Butterflies have "club" type antennae, whereas Moths have "feather or fern like" antennae.
Hope this helps you too.

nice shot i just got my first skipper today also. not as good as this one

Bill

Very informative. Thanks guys.

You are flattering me Bill. Thank you kindly.

eccles wrote in post #4019634
Skippers are usually classed as butterflies because they are day flying and have clubbed antennae. They are a separate order though, called hesperiids. The whole butterfly/moth thing is a bit vague anyway, and the classification has little scientific rationale. In any case, they're all lepidoptera.

you mean of course separate Family ! As you say they are all of the same Order.