Little Glassywing
Common NameLittle Glassywing
Scientific NamePompeius verna
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)33
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, pale yellow
HabitatOpen woodlands, forest edges, meadows, fields, powerline clearings
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Canada to Florida and west to eastern Kansas and Texas
Host Plantsbig bluestem, little bluestem, purpletop, switchgrass
Flight PeriodJune to September
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on grasses, creating leaf shelters, and overwinter as partially grown larvae. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon near the ground.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its small, pale, translucent forewing spots, the mostly unmarked hindwing underside with a golden-bronze sheen, and the prominent black stigma on the male forewing.
Description
A small, dark brown skipper with a few small, pale, translucent spots on the forewing and a golden-bronze sheen on the underside of the hindwings.
