Dotted skipper

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Hesperia attalus slossonae

Type: invertebrate

Status:

Species Guide

Dotted skipper

Hesperia attalus slossonae

Species Type: invertebrate

Conservation Status:

IDENTIFICATION

There are two distinct subspecies of the dotted skipper. Hesperia attalus slossonae can be found in New Jersey and along the Atlantic coastal plains. The other subspecies, H. a. attalusis found in western North America.

The dotted skipper’s most distinctive characteristics are often absent and they are considered to have variable appearances. Overall, the dotted skipper is a large species with a prominent pointed forewing. Males have a dull brown and orange upperside with dark borders. The stigma is black. Females have a dark brown upperside with pale spots. Their underside is usually dull orange and can be with or without dull spots. The hindwing will possibly bear an arrangement of noticeable white dots. Dotted skipper larvae are olive green and have a dark head.

Distribution & Habitat

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

The dotted skipper is considered rare along their range on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. In New Jersey, North Carolina, and Florida they are considered uncommon, but not rare. They have very isolated and local populations in most of their range.

The habitat of the dotted skipper is quite versatile. They prefer dry, sandy areas. Dotted skippers favor areas where their host grasses grow. In New Jersey, this species can be found around old or active railroad beds, power lines, and airport runways in the Pine Barrens.

Diet

DIET

Dotted skipper adults feed on nectar from a variety of flowers such as thistle, knapweed, and milkweed. Favored flowers are not often found in their breeding habitat which forces adults to travel several miles looking for food. In New Jersey, larvae are found primarily feeding on switchgrass and fall witchgrass.

Life Cycle

LIFE CYCLE

There is little information recorded on the life cycle of the dotted skipper. In New Jersey, the dotted skipper has one brood from June into August. Males perch to watch for receptive females. The female deposits her eggs singly on or near a host plant. Caterpillars will feed on grass leaves and live in silken tubes at the base of grass clumps. They overwinter in shelters that are half buried in the ground.

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Lepidoptera
  • Family: Hesperiidae
  • Genus: Hesperia
  • Species: H. attalus slossonae