Hoary Skipper
Common NameHoary Skipper
Scientific NamePolites coras
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, pale yellow
HabitatOpen woodlands, fields, meadows, forest edges
Geographic RangeEastern North America
Host PlantsLittle Bluestem, Poverty Oatgrass
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on the grasses, and pupation occurs in a loose cocoon near the ground.
Identification TipsLook for its mottled brown wings with small, pale spots on the forewings. The underside of the hindwing often has a 'hoary' or frosted appearance, which gives the species its common name.
Description
A small, robust skipper with mottled brown wings, featuring a few pale, somewhat translucent spots on the forewings.
