Insect
Peck's Skipper
Polites corasAlso known as Yellow Patch Skipper
Peck's skippers are energetic small butterflies frequently seen darting low over grassy meadows, lawns, and sunlit fields. Their wing undersides feature a distinctive central patch of bright straw-yellow spots set against a chocolate-brown background. Males actively perch on low vegetation to watch for potential mates, quickly chasing after passing insects.
MeadowsFast-flyingPollinator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyNectar, Kentucky bluegrass, Orchard grass
Predators
- Spiders
- Praying mantises
- Insectivorous birds
ThreatsWidespread lawn chemical use, habitat degradation
HabitatsMeadows, lawns, pastures, roadsides, open grassy fields
Life span1–3 weeks as adults
Classification
- FamilyHesperiidae
- SpeciesPolites coras
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Approach slowly: Walk softly near blooming flowers where adults stop to nectar.
- Look beneath wings: Examine the undersides of folded wings for the straw-yellow patch.
- Check sunny spots: Search low grass stems along lawn edges and field borders.
Frequent Companion (c) jfox16, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Judy Gallagher / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative Charles T. and John R. Bryson, , Bugwood.org / CC BY 3.0 us · cc-by
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