Juba Skipper
Hesperia juba (Scudder, 1874)
Family: Hesperiidae
Status: Rare stray
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Range: Central British Columbia south through California to the eastern edges of Colorado and Wyoming.
Larval Hostplant(s): Grasses including Poa pratensis, Bromus and Stipa species.
Broods/Flight Times: Two flights in its home range in the western US, the first in late spring to early summer, the second from late summer to early autumn. Eastern Wyoming records are from early June, late August and mid-September. Nebraska records are from June 22 and August 1.
Overwintering: Likely as larvae.
Habitat: Open woodlands, sage brush and grassy areas.
Avg. Wingspan: 1 1/4 – 1 5/8 inches
Found at: There are Wyoming records from their easternmost counties including several from the Torrington (Goshen County) area. Observers in the Nebraska panhandle should be alert to the possibility of encountering this species.
Similar Species: Hesperia colorado
Notes: A lone female was captured from a flower in North Platte by Robert Chehey on August 1, 1985. The specimen is housed in the Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History in Caldwell Idaho. Its identity was confirmed by Ray Stanford. Nearly 40 years later (June 22, 2023) Jonathan Nikkila photographed a male at Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Management Area.
