Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Dun Skipper


I believe this tiny brown skipper is a Dun Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) in the family Hesperiidae. These are common butterflies throughout most of the United States, but tend to be more prevalent in the central plains states and eastward. With a wingspan of 1 1/2 inches they are on the small side, and rather drably colored in brown. They do possess a rather impressive afro-like dun colored head and thorax. Females have distinctive cloudy white spots on their forewings.  They are frequently encountered in wet areas such as swamps, stream sides, and damp deciduous hardwood forests. The males will perch low to the ground and wait for passing females. When a likely female is located; mating will occur. The female will seek the host plant, in this case it is various sedges. The female will lay eggs, in a couple weeks the eggs hatch and the young caterpillars begin feeding. They grow rapidly and  will be ready to pupate and will overwinter as cocoons. The following spring they will emerge as adults. Planting various plants such as yarrow, sedum, and other purple or pink blooming flowers will surely attract them to your yard. This species seems to prefer wet conditions and have even been observed  perching and sunning themselves shortly after a rain storm.

2 comments:

  1. Isn't it amazing just how many insects there are? I'm sure I've probably seen this one before -- and yet in my mind there parade such a succession of "brown moths" (altho this one is decidedly a butterfly) that I can't be sure b/c I never knew what to look for before. I'll know now. :) I love his huge eye!

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  2. These little butterflies are some of the most difficult to ID to species. So many of them look alike. I have dozens of species of skippers that visit my yard, I try to photograph as many as I am able to, then the hard work begins....trying to figure out who they are. You are right, they do have lovely eyes! You should document how many different skippers show up to your gardens this year, and try your hand at IDing them....it is a wonderful brain challenge...LOL Let me know how it goes. Have a blessed day and I hope you are out enjoying the lovely spring weather!

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