Decipering Butterflies: Branded Skippers
These central to western skippers of the short grass prairie can often have distinctive markings on their hindwings.
Ventral Hind Wing – 1) Upper spot on anterior macular band absent or reduced, directed inward, 2) disc spot “c” shaped, 3) disc color tan/light brown. Flight period mid-August to early September.
Western Branded Skipper Species Page
Ventral Hind Wing – The upper two spots on the macular band are separated (not stacked as in juba) and squarish (not rectangular as in viridis). The last spot on the macular band is aligned with the adjacent spot (not directed “outward” as in viridis). One flight from late May into July.
Ventral Hind Wing: 1) The upper two spots on the macular band are offset (not as stacked as in juba) and 2) rectangular in shape (not as squarish as in pahaska). 3) The last spot on the macular band, often faint, points outward (less aligned than pahaska).
Two broods are reported from Kansas (from early May to late September). Nebraska records are from July.
Ventral Hind Wing: 1) Veins highlighted with cream/white scales, running through the macular band, 2) yellow/gray disc has a greenish tinge. Main flight occurs in late May/early June. A second has been reported in southwest NE in late August/early September.
