# Northern Broken-Dash (*Polites egeremet*) The Northern Broken-Dash is a small butterfly with beautiful orange and brown wings. They love to flutter around flowers and can be seen in sunny places during the summer. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Meadows ![Northern Broken-Dash](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Northern_broken-dash_%2820880929389%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Melissa McMasters from Memphis, TN, United States, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_broken-dash_%2820880929389%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Broken-Dash has a stout, fuzzy body and dark brown wings. Its forewings feature a distinctive broken line of yellow-orange spots, often appearing as a 'dash' or streak. This pattern helps distinguish it from similar small skippers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Polites ## Interesting facts - Adults only live for about two weeks, making every sunny day count for them! - Their tiny eggs are often laid one by one on blades of grass, like little jewels! - These skippers are like a mix of butterflies and moths, having features of both! - They have special antennae with hooks on the end, unlike true butterflies or moths! ## Special abilities - **Lightning Flight:** Northern Broken-Dash can dart through the air at high speeds because of its powerful wing muscles that help it escape predators and find food quickly. - **Leafy Lair Builder:** Its caterpillar has the ability to roll and tie leaves together to create a sheltered home that helps it hide from birds and other dangers. - **Nectar Straw:** Northern Broken-Dash has a long proboscis, like a straw, that helps them sip nectar from deep flowers, giving them energy to fly and pollinate plants. - **Master of Disguise:** Northern Broken-Dash has mottled brown wings with cryptic patterns that help it blend perfectly with bark and dry leaves, making it hard to spot. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on grassy leaves. - **Age differences:** Yes, larvae eat grass blades, but adults only drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Purple Coneflower, Red Clover, Switchgrass, Big Bluestem - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Adults help move pollen between these vibrant flowers. - **Depends on:** [Switchgrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/switchgrass) (*Panicum virgatum*) — Caterpillars exclusively feed on the leaves of this native grass. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — These birds sometimes prey on adult skippers, especially in open areas. - **Parasitizes:** Braconid Wasp (*Apanteles congregatus*) — Tiny wasps lay eggs on caterpillars, eventually consuming them. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [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. - [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 Always watch butterflies from a distance so they feel safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Broken-Dash? 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 Northern Broken-Dash's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Northern Broken-Dash? 10-15 mm ### How long does Northern Broken-Dash live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Northern Broken-Dash fly? 20 km/h ### What does Northern Broken-Dash eat? Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on grassy leaves. ### Where is Northern Broken-Dash usually found? Meadows ### How does Northern Broken-Dash hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parfreys-glen-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Tower Hill Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tower-hill-botanic-garden) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Heritage Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heritage-park) — Michigan, US · Park [View all places to see Northern Broken-Dash](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-broken-dash) ## 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: [Northern Broken-Dash: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-broken-dash)