Crossline Skipper

Crossline Skipper, Polites origenes, is a species of grass skipper (subfamily Hesperiinae) distributed throughout the United States and southern Canada west to North Dakota and south to the Gulf Coast. A separate population, subspecies rhena occurs from northern Colorado to northeastern New Mexico. In ventral view (wings closed) the hindwing is dark brown with a pale spotband. The forewing has a few spots near the leading edge. In the male the forewing above is dark brown with a yellow or orange patch between the dark stigma and leading edge. The stigma is curved (this is hard to see in some photos) and is often fairly wide on the outer part. There are usually orange or yellow patches in back of the stigma. The forewing of the female above is dark brown with a few yellowish spots. The female may or may not have a yellow patch near the leading edge of the forewing. Nectar sources include selfheal (Prunella vulgaris), mountain mints (Pycnanthemum spp.), and red clover (Trifolium pratense). This species is found in grasslands such as barrens, glades, oak savanna and prairies. This species is more likely to be found in high quality natural areas than the similar Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles). Larval foodplants include little bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium), purpletop (Tridens flavus) and probably other species of grasses. This species is single brooded in the north. There are two broods in the south. Late instar caterpillars overwinter.

Polites origenes is a year-round resident in the eastern United States and into southern Canada (Scott 1986). Habitats are Gulf Coast to transition zone dry meadows (damp meadows eastward), open woodland and prairie. Host plants are grasses, with most known hosts Tridens flavus, Andropogon scoparius. Individuals overwinter as third and fourth instar larvae. In the northern part of their range there is one flight each year with the approximate flight time late June ? July 15 and in the southern part of their range two flights with approximate times between May 1-Oct. 31 (Scott 1986).

Polites origenes, the crossline skipper, is a butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is found in the eastern United States, excepting Florida, southern Ontario, and Quebec.

The wingspan is 23–30 mm.

There is one generation in Canada from late June into mid-August, with two in the U.S.

The larvae feed on grasses, including redtop grass (Tridens flavus) and little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius). Adults feed on flower nectar.