Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok)

Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok)

Hobomok Skipper is a fairly common species found, in NC, primarily in the mountains in a single brood lasting from spring to early summer. This is a very fresh one!

Alleghany Co., NC 6/18/06.

Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok)

Look for the tornado-shaped yellow patch on the dark brown hindwing.

Alleghany Co., NC 5/27/07.

Pocahontas Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok)

Some females are dark -- these are known as the Pocahontas form.

Alleghany Co., NC 5/27/07.

Pocahontas Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok)

Pocahontas form female.

Alleghany Co., NC 5/27/07.

Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok)

Grayson Co., VA 5/30/09.

Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok)

Like the related Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon), they are sexually dimorphic - males and females can look quite different. Females may be as dark as the one at left (Pocahontas form) or may approach the color of males. Their flight tends to be low and fluttery, almost moth-like, unlike the zippy Zabulon.

Female (top) and male, Alleghany Co., NC 5/29/05.

Grayson Co., VA 5/29/05.

Clay Co., NC 5/21/05.
Alleghany Co., NC 5/29/05.

Galax, VA 6/14/03.

Same pair as in the top photo. The female is fanning her wings to attract the male.

Alleghany Co., NC 5/29/05.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.