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).
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.
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.
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).
The Leonard's Skipper prefers open woodlands and other dry, grassy habitats, such as fields with tall grass (1, 4).
Data from Maryland Biodiversity Project. Includes historical records and may overrepresent the current range of the species.
In order to preserve the Leonard's Skipper we need to preserve their natural habitat of open woodland's and grassy fields.
© 2020 Price Lab for Entomology, Courtney Rogall