Polites themistocles, the tawny-edged skipper, is a North American butterfly in the family Hesperiidae.

The stigma is thicker than the male crossline skipper's (Polites origenes) and it usually runs more parallel to the costa.

[2][3] The upperside of the female's wings is brown with the forewing having a less conspicuous orange costa than the male.

The underside of the wings is very similar to the tawny-edged skipper's except the hindwing has a pale crossband.

[2] This species favors a wide range of habitats including alpine bogs, forest glades, grassy areas, moist meadows, savannas, and stream sides.