Jeff, In most species of leps strong charcteristic keys, flight, behavior, habitat and location are fairly easy guides for determination. But applying that to Hesperiidae is harder for me just because most of my work with this group has only been when required for papers I wrote or projects I was involved in. As always a bug in hand is worth dozens of pictures of them for making determinations. So I read the various keys, add any extra data given and come up with my impression of what it is. In the case of Hesperiidae that doesn't mean I am right, far from it. It is just what my best guess is based on what I had to work with. Possible important keys between these two species (taking into account that probaly 95% of my lep library is packed away in storage)... P. themistocles: Bright orange discal cell and costal area. Broad, black sinuate stigma. Spots in HW if present well defined inwardly and outwardly. Grey/brown patch cells adjacent to stigma does not conspiculously contrast with dark brown color of outer margins. Generally in females consipicuous orange in discal cell and costal area. Smaller size. P. origenes: Orange generally much paler, yellower, less distinct in dical cell and costal area. Long slender stigma, less sinuate. Grayish patch cells adjacent to stigma generally conspicuously contrasts brown marginal border. Females darker than P. themistocles, orange much paler in discal cell and costal area. Spot below end of discal cell usually large and squarish. Larger size. Again I am far from well versed in Hesperiidae, so am on the edge of my knowledge base. Doesn't help that out west we have P. origenes rhena instead of the nominate subspecies that you have. Only a long series of a given population observed over many wild broods and many years of that population can assetain what the normal cline of that population is. Many times since the early 60's a long series and good field notes is how I confirmed a lot of new data on population trends and other factors for those species not previously known.

I planted some seeds back in February, in the garden. I am in zone 8. But probably the seeds rotted. So far nothing. I will try again. Marjoram is very similar to oregano. I have planted Greek oregan about a week ago. I bout the plant from HD. They did not have marjoram plant though. I can always buy fresh marjoram from Asian market but growing your own is different.

Top appears to be Origanum vulgare Bottom appears to be Origanum onites although it could be O. majorana In any event, they are both Oregano but different types. Don't worry about whether one is "Greek" or not. Use the one with the best flavor. I grow 5 different varieties (from cuttings) that are either Greek in origin or have The word "Greek" in the common name. Rigani Origanum onites (Rigani means oregano in Greek) Kaliteri Origanum onites 'Kaliteri' (Kaliteri means the best in Greek) Greek Mountain Oregano Origanum vulgare Compact Greek Marjoram Origanum majorana 'Nana' Hot and Spicy Oregano Origanum sp. (unknown species) The oreganos all have a distinctive spiciness to them while the marjoram is much mellower. The white flowering types are generally the best for cooking while the pink and red flowering types are less preferable for cooking and more for ornamental use.

You are missing flavors if you restrict yourself only to dried leaves. Many of the herb flowers and/or seed heads have great taste. Many times if used fresh you can not separated the flowers from the seeds so I will use the term flowers. I toss them into soups, salads. A suggestion when using herbs especially fresh ones is to divide into 3 to 4 portions. Use the first portion at the start of a dish. The second about halfway in the cooking. Just before the dish is finished toss the remaining third. Different amounts of time and temperatures release different seasoning into prepared dishes. If you have the final part you can sprinkle on the top when serving, like you see in resturants or serve on the side if family does not like your funny green stuff. Some like garden sage I pull the flowers off the seed head and use as an decoration to be eatten. That is unless I forget and eat before I get them in the house. Sage and bee balms have a drop of nector at the base of the flowers that is wonderful tasting. You just need to look for bugs in the trumpet of the flower. Generally oreganos develop a harder layer only on the flower stems but it really is not thick enough to be used as bark. Bees love the flowers and since we need bees and other insects to have food to eat I leave things that they like. Many oreganos will send up a stem with flowers at the top. You may cut and remove the leaves to use then use the stem as a skewer or bunch an place in the cavity of a chicken to roast in the oven. Part of you difficulty is that you are not familar with plants. A visit to the library or bookstore for a look at books on herbs will send you in all directions. You will see that most have two names, a latin name and a common name. Also you will find which are annual, biennial, or perennial. In the case of the seed packet it had the latin name and somewhere in small print the common name. I normally purchase plants rather than seeds because if you sow all the seeds and they all come up you will have too many plants. Give aways are great but hard to get rid of several hundred plants plus the time you put into them. Also with plants, I buy the two inch pots, you can touch the leaves to see if you like the smell. When faced with 50 plants you will notice that not all look alike. They are probably from the same source. I look for the ones with the stronger scent and for any that are different in the batch. This is my personal choice. Welcome to a new confusing world of herbs. Some herbs you will find you use more than others but try as many as you can. There are many here that are much more knowledgable than I am so read everything that is posted.