Green Skipper
Hesperia viridis (W. H. Edwards, 1883)
Family: Hesperiidae
Status: Possible rare resident
NENHP Ranking: S1, Tier 2
Range: This species inhabits an area from eastern Wyoming south through Texas and Arizona. Nebraska records are from the panhandle and southwestern corner of the state.
Larval Hostplant(s): Grasses including Blue and Side-oats Grama (Bouteloua gracilis and B. curtipendula) and Buffalo Grass (Buchloe dactyloides).
Broods/Flight Times: Ely, et. al. (1986) reports two broods in Kansas with records from early May to late September. The limited data we have for Nebraska, where there are records from July 7-14, suggests one mid-summer flight in Nebraska.
Overwintering: Likely in a larval stage.
Habitat: Most recent western Nebraska records have been collected by Ray Stanford who found the species abundant in gulleys of short grass prairies (its typical habitat), and in lesser numbers in riparian areas (seeking nectar?) and nectaring in alfalfa fields.
Avg. Wingspan: 1 – 1 1/2 inches
Found at: Enders Dam area
Similar Species: H. pahaska appears to fly somewhat earlier in Nebraska and inhabits hilltops rather than gullys. Males differ in that the microandroconia in viridis is black, while in pahaska it encloses some yellow. Females of viridis are lighter dorsally and show less contrast than those of pahaska.
Notes:
Green Skippers, Matthew Brust
