Hesperia dacotae
(Skinner, 1911)
Dakota skipper
Hesperia dacotae, the Dakota , is a small to -sized North in the . are active for approximately three weeks during June and July, their entire lifespan. The inhabits tallgrass prairie and has experienced significant declines due to prairie destruction and modification. Listed as Threatened under the U.S. since 2014, it has been extirpated from Illinois and Iowa, with its largest remaining population in North Dakota.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hesperia dacotae: /hɛˈspɪəriə dəˈkoʊti/
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Identification
Small with wingspan of approximately one inch. terminate in a distinct hook, characteristic of . Males: tawny-orange to with prominent marking, dusty on lower portion. Females: darker brown-orange forewings with spots along forewing margin.
Images
Habitat
Healthy tallgrass prairie and prairie grasslands. Requires intact prairie vegetation structure.
Distribution
North prairies from Minnesota to Saskatchewan, Canada. Largest stable in North Dakota. Extirpated from Illinois and Iowa. Historical range included additional prairie states.
Seasonality
period restricted to three weeks in June and July. laid in July; feed through late summer before entering dormancy.
Diet
feed on grasses. Specific grass not documented in available sources.
Life Cycle
laid on undersides of leaves in July. hatch and feed on grasses until late summer, then enter dormancy in shelters very close to ground level. Larvae overwinter in state. emerge from dormancy in spring, completing development to .
Ecological Role
of prairie grasses; for intact tallgrass prairie health.
Human Relevance
Subject of concern due to prairie loss. Listed as Threatened under U.S. (2014). Previously on Candidate list (1975–2014). Petitioned for protection in 1994 and 2003. Declining attributed to prairie conversion for grazing, use, and development.
Similar Taxa
- Hesperia speciesOther in same share hooked and similar size; distinguished by specific coloration patterns and geographic range
- Other Hesperiidae members share hooked ; Dakota distinguished by prairie specificity and diagnostic markings