Peck's Skipper (Polites peckius)

Description: A small brown and orange skipper. The upperside dark brown with small orange patches. The underside of the hindwing has a large, dull yellow central patch. Peck’s Skipper is most similar to Hobomok Skipper coloring. Peck’s Skipper is significantly smaller, has much less orange on the upperside and more pointed forewings than Hobomok Skipper. Also, the hindwing patch looks more like a tile mosaic than the “globular” patch of Hobomok Skipper. Wingspan: 19 to 27 mm.

Maritime Distribution: Widespread throughout Maritimes. For Atlas results click here.

Provincial Ranks: NB: S5. NS: S5. PEI: S4.

Flight Period: Late June to early August, partial second brood early August to late September.

Host Plant: A variety of grasses (Poaceae) including Rice Cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides).

Notes: Peck’s Skipper is moderately common. It is usually seen in fields and along roadsides where it patrols a small territory, frequently visiting flowers, especially Cow Vetch (Vicia cracca) and Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea).