Sandhill Skipper
Common NameSandhill Skipper
Scientific NamePolites sabuleti
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, brown
HabitatSandhills, prairies, grasslands, coastal dunes, open pine forests, dry sandy areas
Geographic RangeWestern North America, from southern British Columbia south to California and east to parts of the Great Plains
Host PlantsPoa, Distichlis spicata, Sporobolus
Flight PeriodMarch to October (multiple broods)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on grasses, often creating shelters from tied leaves, and overwinter as larvae. Pupation occurs in a loose cocoon near the ground.
Identification TipsLook for the tawny-orange ground color with distinct dark brown spots and streaks on the wings. The antennae have a characteristic club with a hooked tip. Can be confused with other *Polites* species, requiring close examination of wing patterns, especially the underside hindwing, for accurate identification.
Description
A small, robust skipper with tawny-orange wings marked with variable dark brown spots and streaks, particularly on the hindwing underside. Its body is hairy and brownish-orange.
