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Rare Skipper
Rare Skipper
Scientific Name
Scientific Name
(Problema bulenta)
(Problema bulenta)
The Rare Skipper is a small butterfly in the Hesperiidae family (1). They are mostly seen around tidal freshwater and brackish marshes (1, 2). They are found along the east coast ranging from southern New Jersey to Georgia (3). In Maryland, they are a threatened species with an S1 rank. Sadly, they are globally rare as well with a ranking of G2G3 (4).
Identification
Identification
The Rare skipper has a wingspan of about 1 ½ to 2 inches. Their upperside forewing is an orangish-yellow color with broad black borders. The females have slightly larger borders (5). Their upperside hindwing is orangish-yellow with a yellow-orange spot surrounded by a black border. Their undersides are solid yellow-orange with no markings or borders (5).
Rare Skipper (left) Broad-Winged Skipper (right)
Photo by Jared Satchell Retrieved from Maryland Biodiversity ProjectLife Cycle
Life Cycle
The female Rare Skipper has been reported to lay about 20 eggs on the short wide leaves of their host plant Big Cordgrass (Sporobolus cynosuroides) which is found only on the coastal plains (1, 6). They may also lay their eggs on Giant Cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea) or Annual Wildrice (Zizania aquatica) (6). They do not typically lay their eggs on the Giant Cutgrass due to its endangered status and an S1 rank in Maryland (6). Newly hatched eggs are flattened and hemispheric with a cream color that eventually turns more yellow (1). As newly hatched larva are greenish-white with black heads. Eventually, they become a pale green with a faint blue-green dorsal stripe (1). Each segment on the dorsal side consists of paired dark spots and covering the entire body there are smaller dots. Their head changes from black in their earlier stage to a light brown with light vertical markings (1).
As an adult in Maryland, this species is commonly observed on Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) (2). They are known to have a single brood with a flight period from late June to early July (2).
Photo retrieved from:Cromartie, W. J. and D. F. Schweitzer 1993. Biology of the rare skipper, Problema bulenta (Hesperiidae), in southern New Jersey. Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 47(2): 125-133.
Habitat
Habitat
The Rare Skipper stays along tidal marshes and around brackish waters (1, 2). They prefer to stay where their favored hostplant, the Big Cordgrass which can only be found in coastal plains
Distribution in Maryland:
Distribution in Maryland:
Data from Maryland Biodiversity Project. Includes historical records and may overrepresent the current range of the species.
Distribution in US
Distribution in US
How can you help?
How can you help?
The reduction of habitat destruction and modification and instead the preservation of our coastal wetlands will help the survival of this species (5).
Larval Host Plants:
Larval Host Plants:
Photo by Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. Pickart. Retrieved from wiki images Licensed under Creative Commons CC0 License
Big Cordgrass
Big Cordgrass
Photo by Matt Lavin. Retrieved from wiki imagesLicensed under: cc-by-sa-2.0.
Annual Wildrice
Annual Wildrice
Adult Plant: Common Buttonbush
Adult Plant: Common Buttonbush
Retrieved from wiki imagesLicensed under: CC BY-SA 3.0
Retrieved from wiki imagesLicensed under: CC BY-SA 4.0
References
References
- Cromartie, W. J. and D. F. Schweitzer 1993. Biology of the rare skipper, Problema bulenta (Hesperiidae), in southern New Jersey. Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 47(2): 125-133.
- 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.
- Conservation Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Species Field Guide. http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/species/fieldguide/view/Problema%20bulenta/. Last accessed 19 Nov. 2020.
- Maryland Natural Heritage Program 2016. List of Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Animals. Maryland Department of Natural Resources. https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/rte_Animal_List.pdf.
- Conservation Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Species Field Guide. http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/species/fieldguide/view/Problema%20bulenta/. Last accessed 19 Nov. 2020.
- Maryland Biodiversity. 2020. Euphyes bimacula (Grote & Robinson, 1867). https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/626. Last accessed 11 October 2020.
© 2020 Price Lab for Entomology, Courtney Rogall
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