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Woodland Skipper

Ochlodes sylvanoides

The Woodland Skipper is a small, brown butterfly that flutters around in sunny spots. They love to sip nectar from flowers and are often seen in gardens and meadows.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Woodland Skipper has an orange-brown body and forewings, often with darker brown veins and margins. Its hindwings are usually a duller, more uniform brown. Males feature a distinct dark, diagonal scent patch (stigma) on their forewings, helping distinguish them from similar species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyHesperiidaeGenusOchlodes
Woodland Skipper
camouflaged trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badgeforest trait badge
Woodland Skipper

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Caterpillars munch on various grasses, but adult skippers only drink flower nectar.

Skippers have thick bodies and hooked antennae, often leading people to mistake them for moths!

Their name "skipper" perfectly describes their rapid, skipping flight pattern!

Unlike butterflies, skippers often hold their forewings at a different angle than hindwings.

Special abilities

Ability

Zooming Flight

Woodland Skipper can dart swiftly and erratically because of its powerful wing muscles that help them escape predators.

Ability

Nectar Drinker

Woodland Skipper has a long, coiled proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar deep from flowers, like a tiny straw.

Ability

Leafy Hideout

Its caterpillar can roll a leaf and secure it with silk, creating a camouflaged shelter to hide from hungry birds.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-38 mm
Size
15-20 mm
Lifespan
10-20 days
Flight Speed
18 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip nectar, caterpillars munch grass.

Age differences: Caterpillars eat grass leaves, but adults feed exclusively on flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • flower nectar
  • grass leaves
  • thistle
  • aster
  • goldenrod

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Drinks nectar and helps spread pollen.

eats

Kentucky Bluegrass

Poa pratensis

Caterpillars feed on its leaves.

eaten by

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

A swift bird that preys on adult skippers.

eaten by

Flower Crab Spider

Misumena vatia

Hides in flowers to ambush feeding skippers.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

It's best to watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Woodland Skipper's wingspan?

25-38 mm

How big is Woodland Skipper?

15-20 mm

How long does Woodland Skipper live?

10-20 days

How fast can Woodland Skipper fly?

18 km/h

What does Woodland Skipper eat?

Adults sip nectar, caterpillars munch grass.

Where is Woodland Skipper usually found?

Forests

How does Woodland Skipper hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Woodland Skipper have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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