Poanes zabulon
(Boisduval & Le Conte, 1837)
Zabulon Skipper
Poanes zabulon is a in the Hesperiidae, found in eastern North America. The is sexually dimorphic, with males and females showing distinctly different wing patterns. It occurs in a variety of open and has been recorded with multiple throughout the growing season. The species is not to be confused with Poanes melane (Umber Skipper), a western species with which it shares a but has a completely different geographic range.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Poanes zabulon: /ˈpoʊ.əˌniːz ˈzæb.jəˌlɒn/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from Poanes melane (Umber Skipper), a western riparian , by geographic range—P. zabulon occurs in eastern North America while P. melane is restricted to the West Coast. Within its range, males have a distinctive black stigma on the forewing; females have a more patterned appearance with pale spots. Both sexes have yellow-orange patches on the hindwing. The species is larger than many grass skippers and has a more robust pattern than related small skippers.
Images
Habitat
Open including meadows, fields, roadsides, and woodland edges. Favors areas with grasses and nearby nectar sources.
Distribution
Eastern North America. GBIF records indicate presence in Vermont, US. Range extends across much of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada.
Diet
Larvae feed on various grasses. visit flowers for nectar including milkweeds, thistles, and other summer-blooming plants.
Ecological Role
serve as when visiting flowers. Larvae are herbivores on grasses, contributing to nutrient cycling in grassland .
Similar Taxa
- Poanes melane (Umber Skipper)Same but distribution—P. melane is a western found in California and the Pacific Coast, associated with riparian and urban lawns in the Bay Area, while P. zabulon is an eastern species. They do not overlap in range.
More Details
Taxonomic Note
GBIF indicates Poanes zabulon is listed as a synonym of Lon zabulon in some databases, though NCBI and most modern sources maintain it in Poanes. The Poanes includes several North American skipper with grass-feeding larvae.