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Leonard's Skipper
Leonard's Skipper
Scientific Name
Scientific Name
(Hesperia leonardus)
(Hesperia leonardus)
The Leonard’s Skipper is a small butterfly in the Hesperiidae family. This species can be found in southern Canada and Maine, south to North Carolina, and west to the midwestern United States (1, 2). In Maryland, this species has been sighted in various counties west of the Chesapeake Bay (3), yet it is uncommon with a state rank of S2 (4).
Photo by Judy Gallagher taken in Owings Mill, MarylandLicensed under: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
It is important to note that there are three subspecies of Hesperia leonardus. Subspecies H. leonardus pawnee lives in the western portion of its range, H. leonardus montana occurs only in Colorado, and the subspecies see in the east and mid western United States is H. leonardus leonardus (2). Here, we focus on H. leonardus leonardus.
Identification
Identification
Leonard’s Skipper is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 1 -1 ¼ inches (5). Leonard's Skipper is easily identified by the rust-red under hindwing with rounded cream spots. The upperside is red-orange with wide black borders (6, 7). The spots on the underwing appear like a "V" with a dot above.
Photo by Judy Gallaghertaken in Owings Mill, MarylandLicensed under: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Life Cycle
Life Cycle
In Maryland, Leonard's Skipper has one flight period from late-August to September. As an adult, they can be found visiting blazing star (Liatris spicata), ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), and thistle (Cirsium discolor) (4).
Males tend to perch on nearby nectar plants awaiting females (6). Females lay their eggs singly among host grasses, including little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and poverty oatgrass (Danthonia spicata) (3, 4). Mature larvae have a black head with cream patches and two vertical cream stripes (on the head) (6).
Habitat
Habitat
The Leonard's Skipper prefers open woodlands and other dry, grassy habitats, such as fields with tall grass (1, 4).
Larval Host Plants in Maryland:
Larval Host Plants in Maryland:
Visited Frequently by Adults:
Visited Frequently by Adults:
Distribution in Maryland
Distribution in Maryland
Data from Maryland Biodiversity Project. Includes historical records and may overrepresent the current range of the species.
How can you help?
How can you help?
In order to preserve the Leonard's Skipper we need to preserve their natural habitat of open woodland's and grassy fields.
References
References
- Heiser, E. and M. Davenport. 2016.Conservation Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. New Jersey Threatened and Endangered Species Field Guide. http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/species/fieldguide/view/Hesperia%20leonardus/. Last accessed 16 July 2020.
- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Animal Diversity Web. Hesperia leonardus. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hesperia_leonardus/. Last accessed 16 July 2020.
- Maryland Biodiversity Project. Leonard's Skipper Hesperia leonardus Harris, 1862 https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/604. Last accessed 16 July 2020.
- Davis, L. and R. Smith. 2014. Butterflies of Maryland: A Biological Checklist. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Division. https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/butterfliesofmaryland_biological-summary_checklist.pdf
- Alabama Butterfly Atlas. Leonard's Skipper Hesperia leonardus. https://alabama.butterflyatlas.usf.edu/species/details/80/leonards-skipper. Last accessed 16 July 2020.
- Butterflies and Moths of North America. 2020. Leonard's Skipper Hesperia leonardus Harris, 1862
- Scott, J. A. 1986. Butterflies of North America, A natural history and field guide. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. Pp. 583.
© 2020 Price Lab for Entomology, Courtney Rogall
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