# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Woodland Skipper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ochlodes_sylvanoides.jpg&width=800) Photo: Joseph Berger, CC BY 3.0 us · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ochlodes_sylvanoides.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Ochlodes ## 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 - **Zooming Flight:** Woodland Skipper can dart swiftly and erratically because of its powerful wing muscles that help them escape predators. - **Nectar Drinker:** Woodland Skipper has a long, coiled proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar deep from flowers, like a tiny straw. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Drinks nectar and helps spread pollen. - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Say's Phoebe](https://www.snappit.app/explore/says-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 - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 It's best to watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Woodland 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jasper-ridge-biological-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Regional Parks Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/regional-parks-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Santiam State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santiam-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [East Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/purcell-wilderness-conservancy-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cumbres-and-toltec-scenic-railroad) — New Mexico, US · Historic District [View all places to see Woodland Skipper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/woodland-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: [Woodland Skipper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/woodland-skipper)