Broad-winged Skipper
(Poanes viator)
Broad-winged Skipper sightings, by week (about)
Click to enlargePoygan Marsh, Waushara Co., WI, July 23, 2002.
Click to enlargeWhite River Marsh, Green Lake Co., WI, August 1, 2003.
Click to enlargeSandhill Wildlife Area, Wood Co., WI, July 4, 2004.
Click to enlargeFemale, White River Marsh, Green Lake Co., WI, August 1, 2003.
Click to enlargeMale, Trempealeau NWR, Trempealeau Co., WI. July 10, 2006.
Click to enlargeMale, Trempealeau NWR, Trempealeau Co., WI. July 11, 2007.
Click to enlargeGermania Marsh, Marquette Co., WI, July 17, 2005. Pictured here with a Black Dash
This has always been one of my favorite skippers because of its slightly longer flight period that allows them to peak in numbers after the peak of the other species. Although this species is said to use Carex sedges as host plants in the Midwest, it does use Phragmites in the east and whether or not it uses this species here in Wisconsin, I have found it much more abundant where Phragmites does occur. It is very fond of swamp milkweed, and I have seen 7–10 individuals on a single plant. This species is often found with the Black Dash, Mulberry Wing, and Dion Skipper.
Identifying characteristics: Below, this species has a single light stripe in the middle of the hindwing with a single spot above the stripe and several, often obscure light spots below it. Above, the male lacks a stigma on the forewing and the pattern is very similar to the pattern of the female Long Dash. These spots on the male are orange while the female has white spots. The hindwing from above looks very similar to the wing from below.
Similar species: As noted above, this species from above does resemble the female Long Dash, but the Long Dash is a smaller skipper and looks very different from the Broad-winged Skipper below. The Broad-winged Skipper is very distinctive below and should not be confused with any other skipper in Wisconsin.
Habitat: Marshes and sedge meadows. This species is not found far its wetland habitat.
Flight: Found from the last week in June to early August. This species seems to peak later in the season than the other sedge skippers.
Abundance: This species likes larger wetland areas and were found it may be found in large numbers. I have seen over 100 of this species in one day in both Marquette and Green Lake Counties.
Early Broad-winged Skipper sightings, all years
| Date seen | County | Reported by |
|---|---|---|
| 07–04–2007 | Wood | Ron Arnold |
| 07–08–2006 | Wood | Ron Arnold |
| 07–10–2006 | Trempealeau | Mike Reese |
| 07–11–2007 | Sauk | Scott Swengel, Ann Swengel |
| 07–11–2007 | Trempealeau | NABA count, Karl & Dorothy Legler, and 5 other participants |
| 07–13–2002 | Fond Du Lac | Dad |
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Broad-winged Skipper
Poanes viator