Hesperia sassacus explained

Hesperia sassacus, the Indian skipper, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae.

Taxonomy

The following subspecies are recognised:^[1]

• Hesperia sassacus sassacus Harris, 1862
• Hesperia sassacus manitoboides (Fletcher, 1889)
• Hesperia sassacus nantahala Gatrelle & Grkovich, 2003

Description

The wingspan is 25–30 mm. The flight period is late May to early July.

Distribution and habitat

It is found from northeastern U.S., and in Canada in southwestern New Brunswick and in a broad band from the Eastern Townships of Quebec through to southern Manitoba.^[2]

Ecology and behaviour

The larvae feed on nodding fescue (Festuca obtusa), poverty grass (Danthonia spicata), and panic grass (Panicum), Bouteloua, Andropogon, Aristida, and Poaceae species.^{[2] [3]}

External links

• Indian Skipper, Butterflies and Moths of North America

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hesperia . 2022-04-20 . www.nic.funet.fi.
2. http://www.cbif.gc.ca/spp_pages/butterflies/species/IndianSkipper_e.php Indian Skipper
3. http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/hesperioidea/hesperiidae/hesperiinae/hesperia/index.html Hesperia