The Broad-winged Skipper is larger than most grass skippers, with broad, rounded wings. The underside of the hindwing is a dull orange brown, marked with distinct rectangular orange patches. One long orange patch extends from the wing base and is crossed by a shorter patch, forming a shape that resembles a cross.

On the upper surface, the male forewings are dark with segmented orange patches. In females, these patches are smaller and creamy white instead of orange.

 

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Broad-winged Skipper Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Hesperiinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 1/4 – 2 1/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Freshwater and saltwater marshes

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the native plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Big Cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides)

• Giant Cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea)

• Hairy Sedge (Carex lacustris)

• Shoreline Sedge (Carex hyalinolepis)

• Tussock Sedge (Carex stricta)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Broad-winged Skippers feed on nectar from the following native flowers:iNaturalist

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)

• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

• Dogbane (Apocynum spp.)

• Fleabane (Erigeron spp.)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

• Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

• Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)

• Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)

• Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Thistles (Cirsium spp.)