Endangered Resources Program Species Information
Laurentian Skipper (Hesperia comma)

Overview

Species Overview

Laurentian skipper (Hesperia comma laurentina), a State Special Concern butterfly has been found in meadows, open grassy clearings and roadsides - often adjacent to wetlands. Sometimes seen in barrens. Its host plants include various grasses including Poa spp., Festuca spp. and Andropogon spp. Also sedges. Adults are present from late July to mid-August.

Status and NHI Documented Occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status (State and Federal Status) and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Laurentian Skipper (Hesperia comma). See the Working List Key for more information about the abbreviations used. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. For invertebrates, dots depict locations from the "Invertebrate Atlas," a database with occurrences of rare and common aquatic and select terrestrial invertebrate species found in Wisconsin and adjacent areas. While the invertebrate atlas is a quality assured database, not all records have been verified. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Summary Information State Status: SC/N Federal Status in Wisconsin: none State Rank: S3 Global Rank: G5 Tracked by NHI: Y Species of Greatest Conservation Need:

Detailed Information

Identification: The wings above are orange bordered with black. The forewings have a wide black band along the outer margin with a black stigma filled with gray in the male. The females are more heavily marked with black with the wings above predominantly black with orange spots. In both sexes the forewing below is orange marked with greenish orange toward the apex. The hindwing is greenish-orange below prominently marked with cream spots. The greenish-orange ventral hindwing is diagnostic for this species. Wingspan: 26-31 mm, Length of forewing: 13-15 mm. Larvae are olive green with a dark brown head.

Similar Species: Northern populations of Leonard’s skipper (Hesperia leonardus leonardus) have brick-red to orangish-red hindwings below with yellow spots. Some individuals of the Indian skipper (Hesperia sassacus) may be confused with H. comma but lack the distinctive cream spots on the hindwing below and fly in June.

Habitat: Meadows. Open grassy clearings and roadsides - often adjacent to wetlands. Sometimes seen on barrens.

Nectar Source: Nectar from many flowers including asters (Aster spp.), goldenrods (Solidago spp.), and blazing star (Liatris spp.).

Host Plant: Various grasses including Poa spp., Festuca spp. and Andropogon spp. Also sedges (Opler et al. 1995).

Associated Species: Arctic skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon) and the salt and pepper skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) are found in H. c. laurentina sites in late May and June, but these species are more widespread occurring much farther south in Wisconsin.

State Distribution: A localized species in northern Wisconsin. Douglas, Florence, Forest, Iron, Marinette, Oconto, Oneida, Price, Sawyer and Vilas counties.

Global Distribution: Labrador west to Alaska, south to Maine, northern Wisconsin through Montana, New Mexico to southern California. Also in Eurasia. Wisconsin populations belong to the subspecies Hesperia comma laurentina, which ranges from Maine and New Brunswick west to northern Minnesota and southern Manitoba.

Threats: Habitat loss due to woody species and forest encroachment. Since it is unknown where and how this species overwinters, eggs or immatures may be exposed and vulnerable to being killed by fire and are also likely to be impacted by Bt spraying for gypsy moth control.

Phenology: Adults are present from late July to mid-August.

Life History: Unknown for subspecies laurentina. Life history of H. comma: Females scatter eggs on or near the host; caterpillars eat leaves and live in nests of tied leaves. In the arctic, chrysalids or older caterpillars hibernate; elsewhere eggs overwinter.

Survey Guidance: The males are often found resting on damp areas of dirt roads. Females are more often seen on flowers. Males perch on hills or the host plant to watch for passing females. New county records should be documented with voucher specimens.

Inventory, Monitoring and Research Needs: Locate additional populations.

Additional Information: Wisconsin populations belong to the subspecies H. comma laurentina.

Management Guidance: Sites managed with fire should be divided into several burn units leaving refugia as a necessary precaution.

Information originally presented as part of the Online Field Guide to Rare Lepidoptera: Bogs and Barrens.

Photos

Click on a photo to view a larger version. Please considering donating your photos to the Endangered Resources Program for educational uses. See also information regarding use of photos

Laurentian Skipper, male and female. Florence County. Photo © Mike Reese.

Related Links

Links to Additional Laurentian Skipper Information

• WisconsinButterflies.org Species Profile [Exit DNR]
• Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) [Exit DNR]

Other Links Related to Butterflies and Moths

• Wisconsin Butterflies (Mike Reese)
• More Butterfly Links
• The Field Museum [Exit DNR]
• Online Field Guide to Rare Lepidoptera: Bogs and Barrens