Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018
Hesperia uncas
This record describes Hesperia uncas (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Underwing has bold series of connected white markings, and usually has white veining.
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
Alkaline flats and short grass areas.
Geographic Range
South to New Mexico, west to Nevada, east to Kansas, and north into Canada.
Seasonal Activity
One brood areas June-July. Two brood areas May-June and July-September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Grasses
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hesperia uncas. 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 Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018
What is Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018?
Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018 (Hesperia uncas) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018?
Underwing has bold series of connected white markings, and usually has white veining.
Where is Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Alkaline flats and short grass areas. |
| Range | South to New Mexico, west to Nevada, east to Kansas, and north into Canada. |
What does Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018 eat?
The diet of the Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018 includes Grasses.
When is Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018 active?
Uncas Skipper - Hodges#4018: seasonal activity - One brood areas June-July. Two brood areas May-June and July-September..