Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)

Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)

Salt Marsh Skipper is found only in and near salt marshes, where it is common. It has a similar long-winged shape as the related Ocola Skipper, but the hindwing undersides have pale veins and a prominent white streak. The individual at left is worn, so the white streak is not as prominent as usual.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)

This one is showing its bold white streak nicely.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)

New Hanover Co., NC 8/23/03.

Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)

Nectaring on White Clover.

New Hanover Co., NC 5/15/04.

Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)

This butterfly is easiest to find on plantings of Lantana adjacent to the marshes. We had 350 on the 2003 Wilmington count, mostly nectaring on Lantana.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/23/03.

Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)

Nectaring on Seaside Oxeye (Borrichia frutescens), a common shrub at the edges of salt marshes. The white streak is less distinct on worn examples.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/23/03.

Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)

Dare Co., NC 6/1/07.

Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)

The white streak on this fresh individual is much reduced from normal.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/26/06.

Salt Marsh Skipper (Panoquina panoquin)

And the white streak on this worn one is almost gone!

New Hanover Co., NC 8/26/06.

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