vs Common Least Skipper

Acanthocorbis asymmetrica compared with Ancyloxypha numitor

Key Differences

• is Not Evaluated while Common Least Skipper is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Common Least Skipper
Kingdom	Protozoa (protozoa)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Choanozoa (Choanozoa)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Choanoflagellatea (Choanoflagellatea)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Choanoflagellida (Choanoflagellida)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Acanthoecidae	Hesperiidae
Genus	Acanthocorbis	Ancyloxypha
Species	Acanthocorbis asymmetrica	Ancyloxypha numitor

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Least Skipper

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Common Least Skipper
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Common Least Skipper

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Canada and United States.

Acanthocorbis asymmetrica is a marine choanoflagellate, a unicellular organism closely related to the ancestors of animals, living in coastal and open ocean waters. Its cells are enclosed within a lorica (basket-like cage) constructed from siliceous costal strips that form an asymmetric pattern, distinguishing it from related species. It feeds on bacteria, playing a role in marine microbial food webs.

Common Least Skipper

The Common Least Skipper (<em>Ancyloxypha numitor</em>) is a small butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is native to Canada and the United States, where it typically inhabits virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats within its range, showing a particular affinity for moist, grassy areas near water. The species is among the smallest skippers in North America, characterized by orange and brown wing coloration and a rapid, low-flying flight pattern close to vegetation. Adults typically nectar on small flowers while larvae feed on grasses, particularly those in wet meadows, marshes, stream margins, and disturbed grassy areas. The Common Least Skipper is frequently observed in wetland margins, wet prairies, and roadsides with rank grass growth. Its wide distribution across North America and habitat generalism across moist grassland and wetland types support its stable population and Least Concern conservation status. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.