Species Page: Cobweb Skipper (Hesperia metea)

Family: Hesperiidae

Status: Possible rare resident

NENHP Ranking: S1, Tier 2

Range: This species is widely (but sparsely) distributed across eastern and southern portions of the United States. Nebraska is on the northern edge of where this species would be expected (There are only two Kansas records). The lone Nebraska record is from Harlan County.

Larval Hostplant(s): Bluestem grasses – Andropogon gerardii and A. scoparius.

Broods/Flight Times: One flight in early spring. In Nebraska it was found on May 2.

Overwintering: As full-grown larvae. Pupation occurs in early spring.

Habitat: It is reported to inhabit prairies.

Avg. Wingspan: 1 1/8 – 1 3/8 inches

Found at: One specimen is known from the state. A male was taken at the south end of the Harlan County Reservoir dam on May 2, 1989.

Similar Species:

Notes: This species is found in the southeastern United States. There are records from Kansas (several) and Missouri (numerous). Its early flight likely contributes to the lack of data for this species. All early flying skippers in southeastern Nebraska should be closely examined.