Dotted Skipper
Common NameDotted Skipper
Scientific NameHesperia attalus
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, orange, white
HabitatPrairies, open fields, grasslands, dry sandy areas, roadsides
Geographic RangeCentral and eastern United States, extending into south-central Canada
Host Plantsbig bluestem, little bluestem, various other grasses
Flight PeriodMay to September (two broods in most of its range)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on grass blades, constructing shelters by tying leaves together. The species overwinters as a larva, pupating in a silken cocoon near the ground in spring.
Identification TipsKey features include the prominent arc of white spots on the forewing, which gives it its 'dotted' name, and the overall tawny-brown coloration. Like other skippers, it has a stout body and hooked antennae.
Description
A small to medium-sized skipper with tawny-orange to brown wings, featuring a distinctive arc of white spots on the forewing and often a few on the hindwing. The underside is typically a duller brown or yellowish-brown.
