Tawny-edged Skipper
Common NameTawny-edged Skipper
Scientific NamePolites themistocles
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)28
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsbrown, orange, yellow
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, open fields, roadsides, forest edges
Geographic RangeEastern and Central North America, from southern Canada to Florida and Texas
Host PlantsPoa pratensis, Dactylis glomerata, Agrostis spp., various grasses
Flight PeriodMarch to October (multiple broods)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae are green with a dark head, constructing shelters from tied grass blades. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon within a leaf shelter.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, dark brown wings, and the prominent tawny-orange patch on the forewing upperside. The plain yellowish-brown underside of the hindwing helps differentiate it from similar skippers.
Description
A small, dark brown skipper characterized by a distinctive orange-yellow (tawny) patch along the costal and outer margins of the forewing upperside. The underside of the hindwing is a relatively plain yellowish-brown.
