Arctic Skipper

 The Arctic skipper is, as its name would suggest, found primarily in the northern reaches of the Northern Hemisphere. Its range extends as far north as Alaska. Here in Minnesota we typically see one brood per year and they usually emerge in late spring or early summer, mid May to early July. The larva feed on a variety of different types of grasses while the butterfly feeds on the nectar of various species of flowers. The Arctic skipper is one of the more colorful skippers that we see here.

Arctic Skipper

There are a lot of people who confuse skippers with moths. Perhaps it is because they have thicker bodies then most butterflies. The difference between moths and butterflies is that the forewing and hindwing of the moth are connected while the butterflies wings are seperate. Since skippers have separated wings they are a part of the butterfly family.

The arctic skipper is a member of the skipperling subfamily, Heteropterinae. They are a circumpolar species that is usually found in the north. The arctic skipper overwinters in its larval, or caterpillar form. They form a chrysalis that looks like faded glass in the spring and usually are on the wing in mid May to early June, with typically only one brood per year. Caterpillars typically feed on a variety of grasses while the adults prefer wild iris, bog laurel and Labrador tea.