Polites draco

(W.H. Edwards, 1871)

Draco Skipper, Rocky Mountain Skipper, Dragon Skipper

Polites draco, commonly known as the Draco Skipper or Rocky Mountain Skipper, is a small in the Hesperiidae. It is distributed across the Rocky Mountain region from Arizona north to the Yukon Territory. The has one per year, with active from June to early August. Its larvae feed on grasses, while adults visit flowers for nectar.

Draco Skipper (4862379748) by dfaulder. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Polites draco: //pəˈlaɪtiːz ˈdreɪkoʊ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar Polites by its Rocky Mountain distribution and single-brooded . The specific epithet 'draco' (Latin for dragon) presumably references an unspecified characteristic, though the naming rationale is not documented in available sources. More detailed diagnostic features require additional sources.

Images

Appearance

Small with wingspan of 21–33 mm. Typical skipper with relatively large , stocky body, and with hooked clubs.

Habitat

Rocky Mountain ; specific vegetation associations not documented in available sources.

Distribution

Rocky Mountain states and provinces from Arizona to the Yukon Territory.

Seasonality

One per year; on wing from June to early August.

Diet

Larvae feed on various grasses. feed on flower nectar.

Life Cycle

(one per year). stage not specified in available sources.

More Details

Taxonomic note

GBIF lists Polites draco as a synonym of Polites sabuleti, though this relationship requires verification. NCBI and other sources treat it as a valid .

Tags

Sources and further reading