| Plains skipper | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Hesperiidae |
| Genus: | Hesperia |
| Species: | H. assiniboia |
| Binomial name | |
| Hesperia assiniboia (Lyman, 1892) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Hesperia assiniboia, the plains skipper, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae.
It is found in the Canadian Prairie provinces and into the northern Great Plains states. [1] Its habitats include northern shortgrass prairies and aspen parkland. [2]
The wingspan is 21–30 mm. The flight period is from mid-July to early September. [1]
The larvae feed on needlegrass ( Stipa species), June grass ( Koeleria cristata ), and blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis ). [1] Adults feed on nectar from flowers such as asters, goldenrods, and blazingstar. [2]