Summary ⁵

The Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor) is a North American butterfly in the family Hesperiidae subfamily Hesperiinae. They have a weak, satyr-like flight.

Description ⁶

The Least Skipper's rounded wings and slender body are distinctive. Their checkered antennae have no hooks. Males lack stigmata. The upper sides of the fore wings are dark brownish-black sometimes having a patch of orange. The hind wing is orange with a broad dark brownish-black band surrounding the orange area completely. The underside of the wings is orange with the hind wing discal area being a little bit darker. The hind wing veins are whitish. Its wingspan ranges from 17 to 26 mm.

Larva Description ⁷

Head distinct, brown with two pale vertical stripes and broader, pale lateral stripes; prothorax white with thin distal marginal stripe; body pale yellowish-green; dorsal stripe slightly darker green.

Larval Host Plants ⁸

Host plants are multiple species of grasses.

GTM Occurrence ⁷

The Least Skipper is considered an uncommon species at the GTM. Most observations are along the Marsh Pond Overlook (Transect B). A single specimen was observed in thepen habitat along Transect A. Specimens were observed in April-May, July-September, and November. Peak abundance was in September. Not present in all years. There have been 14 specimens observed as of December 28, 2015.

Distribution ⁷

Nova Scotia west to southern Saskatchewan; south through the eastern states to Florida, the Gulf states, Texas, and southeastern Arizona. Strays to central Colorado.

Habitat ⁹

Adapatable to a variety of temporary and permanent open or brushy wetlands from fens to ditches to temporarily drought impacted ponds. In wooded areas only along grassy stream corridors. Typical of disturbed grassy areas on pondshores, along ditches etc. Less often in drier grassy places and suburbia but probably breeds in such settings to some extent.

Nature serve conservation status ¹⁰

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Sources and Credits

1. (c) John Brandauer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/91753832@N00/4914048216
2. (c) Anita Gould, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/anitagould/9514913624/
3. (c) Mary Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/38514062@N03/10010494003/
4. (c) GTMResearchReserve, all rights reserved, uploaded by GTMResearchReserve
5. Adapted by GTMResearchReserve from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancyloxypha_numitor
6. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancyloxypha_numitor
7. (c) GTMResearchReserve, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
8. Adapted by GTMResearchReserve from a work by (c) Leslie Ries, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/20625728
9. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28758856
10. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28758850

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• Maryland Moths
• Mass Moths
• Moth Photographers Group
• Moths of North Carolina
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths

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