# Zabulon Skipper (*Lon zabulon*) The Zabulon Skipper is a small, colorful butterfly with bright orange and brown wings. They flutter around flowers and are fun to watch as they sip nectar from blossoms. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 47 - **Habitat:** Meadows and gardens ![Zabulon Skipper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Female_Zabulon_Skipper.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kenneth Dwain Harrelson, aka HaarFager at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Female_Zabulon_Skipper.jpg) ## Appearance The Zabulon Skipper is a small butterfly with a distinct rapid, darting flight. Males display bright orange-brown upperwings with dark borders, while females are darker brown with yellow-orange spots and a purplish sheen. Their hindwing undersides often feature a contrasting pale patch, aiding in identification. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Lon ## Interesting facts - Adult Zabulon Skippers never eat solid food, only liquid nectar. - Males often perch on leaves, ready to zoom out and defend their territory. - Their caterpillars live hidden inside rolled-up blades of grass! - They have a long, straw-like proboscis to sip nectar from deep flowers. ## Special abilities - **Darting Speed:** Zabulon Skippers can zip through the air quickly because of their powerful wing muscles that help them evade predators and find new flowers. - **Hidden Wings:** The Zabulon Skipper has mottled hindwings that, when folded, blend into shadows and dried leaves, helping them hide from hungry birds. - **Sweet Scent Sensor:** Zabulon Skippers can locate sweet flower nectar with sensitive antennae, helping them find food for energy to fuel their active flights. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-38 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-14 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink flower nectar, while caterpillars munch on various grass leaves. - **Age differences:** As larvae, they eat grass leaves; as adults, they drink nectar. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Echinochloa crus-galli - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adults visit for nectar - **Pollinates:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Adults visit for nectar - **Depends on:** Fall Panicum (*Panicum dichotomiflorum*) — Larvae feed on its leaves ## 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. - [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 Be gentle and quiet around butterflies so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Zabulon 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 Zabulon Skipper's wingspan? 25-38 mm ### How big is Zabulon Skipper? 15-20 mm ### How long does Zabulon Skipper live? 5-14 days ### What does Zabulon Skipper eat? Adults drink flower nectar, while caterpillars munch on various grass leaves. ### Where is Zabulon Skipper usually found? Meadows and gardens ### How does Zabulon Skipper hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Zabulon Skipper have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Awbury Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/awbury-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Buchanan State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/buchanan-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Cedarmere-Clayton Estates](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarmere-clayton-estates) — New York, US · Historic District - [Central Shelby Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-shelby-historic-district) — North Carolina, US · Historic District - [Chantilly Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chantilly-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Zabulon Skipper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/zabulon-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: [Zabulon Skipper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/zabulon-skipper)