Indian Skipper
Common NameIndian Skipper
Scientific NameHesperia sassacus
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)25
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, brown, yellow
HabitatOpen woodlands, meadows, prairies, forest edges, roadsides
Geographic RangeEastern and Central North America, from Nova Scotia west to Saskatchewan and south to Georgia and Arkansas.
Host Plantsbig bluestem, little bluestem, indiangrass, switchgrass
Flight PeriodMay to July (one brood)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae are green with a dark head, feeding on grasses and constructing shelters by tying leaves together. They overwinter as partially grown larvae and pupate in spring.
Identification TipsLook for the bright orange-brown color and the distinct band of pale rectangular spots on the forewing. Males have a prominent black stigma on the forewing. The underside of the hindwing is typically plain orange-brown.
Description
A small, robust skipper with orange-brown wings. The forewings feature a prominent band of pale yellow-orange rectangular spots, while the hindwings are mostly unmarked orange-brown.
