Peck’s Skipper
(Polites peckius)
Peck’s Skipper sightings, by week (about)
Click to enlargeSandy Ridge Reservation, North Ridgeville, OH, August 14, 2004.
Click to enlargeSandhill Wildlife Area, Wood Co., WI, July 3, 2005.
Click to enlargeMale, Lunch Creek Meadows SNA, Waushara Co., WI, July 6, 2005.
Click to enlargeFemale, Puchyan Prairie SNA, Green Lake Co., WI, July 12, 2004.
Peck’s Skipper was found historically throughout Wisconsin except for the southwest corner of the state. Since this species is found throughout Iowa, I felt it was likely that it had just been overlooked in the southwestern part of the state, and in the last two years it has been seen and photographed in Grant and Iowa Counties. I have seen Peck’s Skipper in more urban areas than other skippers, including city parks, or family lawns, nectaring on clover.
Identifying characteristics: Below this species has conspicuous light spots towards the body and a median spot band with the central spots somewhat longer than the others. Sometimes the spots towards the body are somewhat connected to the median spot band as in the second photo. Above, the males’ stigma separates the lighter orange wing margin from the darker inner wing. The female is darker and has very conspicuous orange colored spots.
Similar species: Below, this Skipper is rather distinctive and shouldn’t be confused with any other species. Above, the male does look very similar to the Tawny-edged Skipper , but the Peck’s Skipper has a spot band on the hind wing above, while the Tawny-edged Skipper has a solid brownish color. The Long Dash is also somewhat similar, but is slightly larger, and has the middle two segments of the spot band nearly the same size as the other spots, while the Peck’s Skipper has the middle two spots obviously longer than the other spots.
Habitat: : Roadsides, woodland edges, old fields. I have seen this skipper more often near moister habitats, but this may be just because the nectar sources were more abundant in these areas.
Flight: This species had at least two broods, with the first flying in late May and June and the last generation flying in late September.
Abundance: This species is found throughout the state, but I have never found it to be very abundant. The most I have ever seen in one day is seven, with most sightings confined to a single individual.
Recent Peck’s Skipper Sightings
| Date seen | County | Reported by |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Dane | Ann Thering |
| Friday | Dane | Mike Reese |
| Friday | Dane | Ann Thering |
| Thursday | Portage | Mike Reese |
| 08–13–2008 | Dane | Ann Thering |
| 08–12–2008 | Dodge | Jeff Raflik |
| 08–10–2008 | Dane | Ann Thering |
| 08–10–2008 | Milwaukee | Judith Huf |
| 08–09–2008 | Outagamie | Patty Hankey |
| 08–09–2008 | Milwaukee | Judith Huf |
| 08–09–2008 | Portage | Wayne Anderson |
| 08–07–2008 | Douglas | Dave Hanson, David Bratley |
| 08–07–2008 | Sauk | Mike Reese |
| 08–05–2008 | Dane | Ann Thering |
| 08–02–2008 | Bayfield | Ryan Brady |
| 08–01–2008 | Door | Tom Poklen |
| 07–31–2008 | Dane | Ann Thering |
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Peck’s Skipper
Polites peckius