# Hobomok Skipper (*Lon hobomok*) The Hobomok Skipper is a small butterfly with beautiful brown wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in sunny meadows during the warm months. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 16 - **Habitat:** Meadows ![Hobomok Skipper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hobomok_Skipper_%28Poanes_hobomok%29_%287200288182%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Aaron Carlson from Menomonie, WI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hobomok_Skipper_%28Poanes_hobomok%29_%287200288182%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Hobomok Skipper has an orange-brown body and wings, with darker borders and yellowish-orange spots on its forewings. Males display a prominent dark stigma. Females are often either bright orange like the males or a distinct dark brown, often called the "Pocahontas" form, with white-yellow spots. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Lon ## Interesting facts - A special patch on male wings, called a stigma, releases scents to attract female skippers. - Caterpillars spin a silk shelter between grass blades to hide and munch safely. - Some female Hobomok Skippers are called "Pocahontas Skippers" because of their unique dark color! - They get their name from a Native American word meaning "one who moves quickly." ## Special abilities - **Quick-Dart Flight:** Hobomok Skipper can evade predators with sudden, erratic flight bursts because of its powerful wing muscles that allow it to zig-zag rapidly. - **Flower Finder:** Hobomok Skipper has a specialized proboscis that helps them reach deep into flowers to sip nectar, providing essential energy for their active life. - **Shape-Shifter:** Hobomok Skipper females can appear in two distinct color forms, orange or dark brown, which helps them blend into different environments. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-40 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Hobomok Skippers drink flower nectar, while their young caterpillars munch on various grasses. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat grass leaves, while adults exclusively feed on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Milkweed flowers, Clover flowers, Big bluestem grass, Panic grass - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Birds hunt adult skippers for food. - **Eaten by:** [Cross Orbweaver](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cross-orbweaver) (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders capture skippers in their webs. - **Pollinates:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adult skippers help pollinate flowers while feeding. - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Sipping nectar aids in spreading pollen for plant reproduction. - **Eats:** [Big Bluestem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/big-bluestem) (*Andropogon gerardii*) — Skipper larvae feed on the leaves of this native grass. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch. Just don't try to catch them! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hobomok Skipper? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Hobomok Skipper's wingspan? 25-40 mm ### How big is Hobomok Skipper? 15-20 mm ### How long does Hobomok Skipper live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Hobomok Skipper fly? 25 km/h ### What does Hobomok Skipper eat? Adult Hobomok Skippers drink flower nectar, while their young caterpillars munch on various grasses. ### Where is Hobomok Skipper usually found? Meadows ### How does Hobomok Skipper hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Anderson Japanese Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-japanese-gardens) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Brattleboro Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brattleboro-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Broadway Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadway-avenue-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Capitol Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capitol-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Grand Circus Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-circus-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District [View all places to see Hobomok Skipper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hobomok-skipper) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Hobomok Skipper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hobomok-skipper)