Delaware Skipper
Female - July 2022
The Delaware Skipper (natrytone logan) is a solid orangy-yellow small grass skipper that flies mostly from June though August. The forewings are a bit more rounded than the somewhat similar Rare Skipper and have a bolder orange tone with a bit of a sheen.
Female - July 2022
This skipper has very bold wing veins visible from above. Dorsal views of the female pictured show this well as the bold lines are prominent on both the forewing and hindwing. The yellow-orange markings frame 2 bold spots at the center of the forewing on females. Note also the black border around the outer hindwing which is another helpful field mark.
Female - July 2022
I was walking along this path which led right through some very tall grassy fields surrounded by woodland. The bold orange color stopped me in my tracks and I knew almost right away I had located a target species for the trip!! This butterfly was such a joy to watch and really gave me a show, landing on nearby leaves and displaying gorgeous dorsal views from different angles as well as hopping about the flower patches.
Female ovipositing on grass - July 2022
It was cool to observe this very active female ovipositing in between feeding on the Red Clover blooms.
I’ve learned that they can use several different host plant grass but I’m not sure which this might be.
Female - July 2022
Female - July 2022
I noted that the proboscis on this species is especially large and wide and looks to be more than twice the body length. I have a video of the skipper feeding on this flower and it is really amazing how far it extends and how efficient and sturdy for feeding on a variety of flowers.
Male - July 2022
Males of this species have similar dorsal details as the bold lines are prominent on both the forewing and hindwing, and the black border around the outer hindwing and forewing is represented. However, the 2 spots are not present. Instead the yellow-orange markings on the forewing enclose what reminds me of an arrow pointing at the forewing tip.
