Cobweb Skipper
(Hesperia metea)
Cobweb Skipper sightings, by week (about)
Click to enlargeWest of Wazee Park, Jackson Co., WI, May 21, 2005.
Click to enlargeWest of Wazee Park, Jackson Co., WI, May 21, 2005.
Click to enlargeMale, West of Wazee Park, Jackson Co., WI, May 21, 2005.
Click to enlargeFemale, West of Wazee Park, Jackson Co., WI, May 29, 2005.
Click to enlargeFemale (same individual as above photo), West of Wazee Park, Jackson Co., WI, May 29, 2005.
Click to enlargeFemale, Brockway across from Wazee Park, Jackson Co., WI. May 13, 2007.
Click to enlargeFemale, Brockway across from Wazee Park, Jackson Co., WI. May 13, 2007. Same individual as above.
The Cobweb Skipper is an uncommon skipper in Wisconsin. I have seen it only in Jackson County and one individual in Marinette County. This species is a swift flying and very difficult to observe and photograph. It flies only a short height above the ground and blends in very well with the dead grass leaves that are still present in May when it begins its flight period.
Identifying characteristics: Below, this skipper is brownish with distinctive white markings on the hind wings and conspicuous white in the coastal upper wing. Above the female is very similar in color and markings to the wings below, and the male is much lighter with yellow throughout most of the middle portion of the wing with a prominent stigma and a few white spots near the upper wing tips.
Similar species: Although the female of this species may be confused with the female Dusted Skipper from above, both of which are dark above with a number of white spots, the Cobweb Skipper female usually has some orange present above, while the Dusted does not. As in identifying many of the skippers, it is always useful to try to see them from both above and below.
Habitat: Prairies and barren areas.
Flight: This species is single-brooded and flies from Mid-May to the beginning of June.
Abundance: An uncommon species in Wisconsin, this species is on the Wisconsin NHI list as a species of special concern. Where it is found it may become somewhat common and I have seen over 20 in one day in Jackson County.
Early Cobweb Skipper sightings, all years
| Date seen | County | Reported by |
|---|---|---|
| 05–08–2007 | Jackson | Ann & Scott Swengel |
| 05–12–2007 | Jackson | Rhonda Hansen |
| 05–12–2007 | Jackson | Jeff Belth |
| 05–13–2007 | Jackson | Mike Reese |
| 05–15–2007 | Sauk | Ann & Scott Swengel |
| 05–17–2006 | Jackson | Mike Reese |
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Cobweb Skipper
Hesperia metea