Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033
Hesperia sassacus
This record describes Hesperia sassacus (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Ventrally, chevron shaped light markings, not well defined in males, but more distinct in females. Dorsally, male has a black stigma on FW, and female FW mostly orange. Both gender have a dark oval at the apex of the FW. HW mostly orange.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Hesperiinae
- Tribe
- Hesperiini
- Genus
- Hesperia (Branded Skippers)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grassy areas with nectar sources.
Geographic Range
From Nova Scotia accross the northerm US to Minnesota, south to Pennsylvania, and down the Appalachians to NC.
Seasonal Activity
May-June
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Grasses
Life History
One brood, larva overwinters.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hesperia sassacus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033
What is Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033?
Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033 (Hesperia sassacus) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033?
32-35mm wingspan
How do you identify Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033?
Ventrally, chevron shaped light markings, not well defined in males, but more distinct in females. Dorsally, male has a black stigma on FW, and female FW mostly orange. Both gender have a dark oval at the apex of the FW. HW mostly orange.
Where is Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Grassy areas with nectar sources. |
| Range | From Nova Scotia accross the northerm US to Minnesota, south to Pennsylvania, and down the Appalachians to NC. |
What does Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033 eat?
The diet of the Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033 includes Grasses.
When is Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033 active?
Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033: seasonal activity - May-June.
What is the life cycle of a Indian Skipper - Hodges#4033?
One brood, larva overwinters.