Cobweb Skipper
Common NameCobweb Skipper
Scientific NameHesperia metea
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, white
HabitatDry, open woodlands, pine barrens, prairies, sandy areas
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern New England west to Wisconsin and south to Florida and Texas
Host PlantsLittle Bluestem, Big Bluestem
Flight PeriodApril to June
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on grasses and construct shelters, overwintering as a partially grown larva or pupa. Adults emerge in early spring for a single brood.
Identification TipsKey features include the unique 'cobweb' pattern of white spots on the dark brown hindwing underside, its early flight period, and preference for dry, grassy habitats.
Description
A small, stout-bodied skipper with dark brown upperwings and a distinctive mottled pattern of white or pale spots on the dark brown underside of the hindwings, resembling a cobweb.
