Delaware Skipper (GTM Research Reserve Butterfly Guide)

Delaware Skipper

Anatrytone logan

Summary ⁵

The Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan) is a North American butterfly in the family Hesperiidae (skippers), subfamily Hesperiinae (grass skippers). This skipper ranges from the southern Prairies in Canada and southern Ontario and southwards through the midwestern and eastern states in the US.

Description ⁶

Very small—FW ≥0.6". Sexes similar below. Above: Male FW bright orange with broad, blackish-brown trailing border, black extending inward along veins, and black, angled cell-end bar. HW has central orange patch with black extending inward along veins from narrow, blackish-brown trailing border. Female FW similar to male's but with a large, dark central mark enclosing 2 orange spots. The dark mark does not touch the trailing border. Below: Both wings are bright, unmarked orange and have orange fringes.

Larva Description ⁶

Head distinct, cream-colored with vertical black stripes; body bluish-gray; prothorax with thin distal marginal black stripe; A9-10 with black horizontal stripes.

Larval Host Plants ⁶

Grasses—including Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), beard grasses (Erianthus), and Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)—and possibly sedges (Carex).

GTM Occurrence ⁶

The Delaware Skippter is considered an uncommon species at the GTM. Most observations were along the Marsh Pond Overlook (Transect B), open habitat along Transect A, and the Glasswort Loop (Transect C). Occurs during April, June-July, and September-October. Most observations were in June (3 specimens). There have been 9 specimens observed as of December 28, 2015.

Distribution ⁷

The Delaware Skipper is found throughout the eastern United States, and reaches its northern range limits in southern Ontario and the southern prairie provinces (Layberry et al. 1998, Opler 1999). In Alberta it is known from the major river valleys in the prairie ecoregion, north as far as the Drumheller area (Bird et al. 1995).

Habitat ⁸

A truly odd assortment of habitats, especially in the Northeast. Dry to mesic bluestem prairies, right of ways, barrens and oak savannas with little bluestem are commonly used. Also other types of dry to moist grasslands and old fields dominated by native grasses. Also bogs, fens, marshes and sedge meadows often with upright sedge (Carex stricta , Cyperaceae) overwhelmingly dominant. Seems very often associated with switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Poaceae) Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium, Poaceae) in northeastern grasslands and with Carex stricta in wetlands in the Northeast. Adults do occur in gardens for nectar.

Nature serve conservation status ⁹

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Sources and Credits

(c) summerazure, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/45351814@N07/6733513121/
(c) Bill Bouton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://butterfliesofamerica.com/images/Hesperiidae/Hesperiinae/anatrytone_l_logan/Anatrytone_l_logan_Lexington_Fayette_Co_KY_USA_9-VI-06_1.jpg
(c) Mary Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/38514062@N03/19425171226/
Adapted by GTMResearchReserve from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatrytone_logan
(c) GTMResearchReserve, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
(c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31884556
Adapted by GTMResearchReserve from a work by (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28758831
(c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28758825

More Info

iNat Map

Category name	uncommon

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