Pompeius verna
Size:
Wingspan is 1 1/16 - 1 1/2 inches.
Similar Species:
Northern Broken Dash
Crossline Skipper
Dun Skipper
Habitat:
Wooded edges, damp power line clearings and roadsides. Seems to favor
damp situations.
Range/Abundance:
Common in the mountains and piedmont.
Uncommon to rare in the coastal plain.
Flight Period:
Adults fly from late April until mid October in two or three broods with
gaps between broods.
Larval Host Plants:
Grasses including Purpletop Tridens flavus
Comments:
This is another difficult skipper to identify. The white patch before
the antennal club is a very helpful key. Also check for the large square
white spot in the center of the forewing as seen from above.
The top photo was taken at the Eno River State Park in
Durham Co., NC on May 23, 2002. The center photo was taken in Durham Co.,
NC on August 17, 2002. The bottom photo was taken in Orange Co., NC on
August 11, 2002.
