Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062
Poanes aaroni
This record describes Poanes aaroni (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Underwing is dull olive/brown with a pale ray extending down the middle of the wing, and several light dots near the ray.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Hesperiinae
- Tribe
- Hesperiini
- Genus
- Poanes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Coastal marshes, and freshwater wetlands. Can be found nectaring away from preferred habitat.
Geographic Range
Seperate populations in coastal NJ to central NC, several populations in Ga. and most of Fl. and eastern Tx.
Seasonal Activity
2 broods, Feb - June, then Aug -Oct.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Smooth Cordgrass, Salt Grass, Maidencane, and possibly other grasses.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Poanes aaroni. 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 Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062
What is Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062?
Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062 (Poanes aaroni) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062?
3.3-4.3cm wingspan
How do you identify Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062?
Underwing is dull olive/brown with a pale ray extending down the middle of the wing, and several light dots near the ray.
Where is Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Coastal marshes, and freshwater wetlands. Can be found nectaring away from preferred habitat. |
| Range | Seperate populations in coastal NJ to central NC, several populations in Ga. and most of Fl. and eastern Tx. |
What does Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062 eat?
The diet of the Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062 includes Smooth Cordgrass, Salt Grass, Maidencane, and possibly other grasses..
When is Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062 active?
Aaron's Skipper - Hodges#4062: seasonal activity - 2 broods, Feb - June, then Aug -Oct..