Cobweb Skipper (NPS Manassas National Battlefield Park Butterflies and Moths)

Cobweb Skipper

Hesperia metea

Summary ⁶

The Cobweb Skipper (Hesperia metea) is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae family. It has a scattered distribution from southern Maine west to Wisconsin, south to central Georgia, the Gulf States and central Texas.

Habitat ⁷

Comments: Grassy openings in many sorts of xeric woodland or shrubland such as serpentine barrens, shale barrens, pine barrens, oak savannas, trap rock glades, granite glades. Also quite commonly eastward in right of ways and outer margins of airports on sandy soil.

Migration ⁸

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

North american ecology (us and canada) ⁹

Hesperia metea is a year-round resident of the eastern United States, with the exception of the midwest (Scott 1986). Habitats are dry grassy places in woods. Host plants are grasses restricted to genus Andropogon. Eggs are laid on or near the host plant singly. Individuals overwinter as mature larvae. There is one flight each year with the approximate flight time May 15- June 15 in the northern part of the range and March 15- April 15 in the most southern part of their range (Scott 1986).