Hobomok Skipper

Poanes hobomok

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Phylum
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Genus

Characteristics

The Hobomok skipper has a wingspan of 1 to 1.75 inches (2.5-4.4 cm).

It has rounded wings. The uppersides of the male’s wings are orange with irregular dark brown borders. The underside of the hindwing has a gold band.

The female has two forms, the normal and the Pocahontas form. The normal form is similar, but duller than the male. The Pocahontas form is a dark purplish-brown with cream spots. In both female forms, the underside of the hindwing has a slight purplish tint at the outer edge.

Habitat

The Hobomok skipper is found in woodland edges, fields, bogs, and the edges of streams.

Diet

The Hobomok skipper caterpillar eats a variety of grasses, including panic grasses and bluegrasses.

The adult Hobomok skipper eats nectar from flowers, including common milkweed, red clover, cow vetch henbit, viper’s bugloss, and blackberry.

Life Cycle

The female Hobomok skipper lays single eggs on the leaves of a host grass plant. There is one brood a year.

Behavior

The Hobomok skipper is a strong flyer and takes off quickly when startled.

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The Hobomok Skipper in NH

The Hobomok skipper is found in New Hampshire.

Range

The Hobomok skipper is found from Alberta, Canada east to Nova Scotia, Canada, and south to Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.