Common Mellana
Common NameCommon Mellana
Scientific NamePolites peckius
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)26
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsorange, brown
HabitatMeadows, open fields, roadsides, gardens
Geographic RangeEastern North America
Host Plantsvarious grasses
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on grasses, constructing leaf shelters. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon.
Identification TipsKey features include the uniform tawny-orange coloration, robust body, and the characteristic clubbed and hooked antennae of a skipper. Specific identification often requires examining underside markings or male stigma.
Description
A small, robust-bodied skipper with uniformly tawny-orange wings, dark eyes, and dark, clubbed antennae with orange tips. It is perched on a white flower.
