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  • Hesperiidae
  • Hesperia
  • Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus)
Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus), Harris, 1862 - 4023.000000 - 770218.000000 - Special Concern

Wing span: 2.9-3.2 cm. (males), 3.2-3.6 cm. (females).

Flight time: Although one adult was collected in early August, the main flight occurs from mid August to the first of October.

Status: Rare breeding resident.

Distinguishing features: No other Hesperia flies so late in the season in Iowa. It can be easily distinguished from the Sachem (which is in flight at this time) by its rusty-brown under wing and pale spots (for subspecies H. l. leonardus) or its pale yellow under wing (for subspecies H. l. pawnee). The two subspecies of Hesperia leonardus appear so different they were long considered separate species. H. l. leonardus is generally darker above with a light band in the center of the hind wing above and with light areas around the stigma on the fore wing. The hind wing below is rusty-red with a row of pale patches in the center. Iowa H. l. pawnee are typical of populations to the west (Howe, 1975; Tilden, Smith, 1986). The under wing color for both sexes is light yellow. While male under wings are usually unmarked (some will have a faint row of white postmedial spots), females do exhibit pronounced lighter patches in the center. Males are tawny above and are essentially indistinguishable with the earlier flying Ottoe Skipper. These two subspecies completely intergrades within a 60 km band extending over Monona, Harrison, and Pottawattomie counties in the Loess Hills (Spomer, Higley, Orwig et. al., 1993). The Jackson County population is quite similar to individuals observed from the Paleozoic Plateau in southwestern Wisconsin, as they have a somewhat lighter under wing color with smaller light spots. Some have suggested these populations represent H. l. leonardus - H. l. pawnee intergrades. However, these populations differ greatly from the true intergrades observed in the Loess Hills, and may represent a unique geographically isolated race.

Distribution and habitat: Although records are known from scattered locations across the southeastern half of the state, the only extant H. l. leonardus populations are known from Mills and Fremont counties in the Loess Hills, and from a single Jackson County site. H. l. pawnee occurs along the western border from northern Monona to Lyon County. Both subspecies are limited to xeric prairie of the Loess Hills, gravel ridges and limestone glades.

Natural History: Although larval host plants have not been recorded in Iowa, all populations occur in areas supporting a dense growth of Little Bluestem. H. l. leonardus adults appear to only use Rough Blazingstar (Liatris aspera) for nectar, although a few stray individuals may be seen in Wisconsin on other Liatris species, Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa), and Western Sunflowers (Helianthus occidentalis). A number of sites in northeastern Iowa support luxuriant Little Bluestem growth but little or no Rough Blazingstar. Leonard's Skipper has not been located at any of these sites. H. l. pawnee has been observed nectaring on both Rough and Dotted Blazingstar (Liatris punctata).


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Last updated on 2023-01-20 22:25:55
← Hesperia dacotae
Hesperia ottoe →
Photos
Records
Record # Date Locale State Lat/Lon Collected By Count
275372 2020-09-05 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jay Gilliam 6
281117 2020-08-29 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Chris Edwards 9
201954 2017-09-01 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Armund Bartz 57
201920 2017-08-15 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected John Pearson 1
180787 2016-08-31 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
180750 2016-08-30 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 2
183087 2016-08-28 Winneshiek County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected MJ Hatfield 1
131368 2015-09-03 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 5
131121 2015-09-02 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
131315 2015-09-02 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
109696 2014-09-02 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 5
109956 2014-09-01 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 4
68641 2014-08-31 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
68642 2014-08-31 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
68643 2014-08-31 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
68644 2014-08-31 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
68645 2014-08-31 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
68646 2014-08-31 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
68647 2014-08-31 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
68648 2014-08-31 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
68649 2014-08-31 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
110029 2014-08-31 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 3
110030 2014-08-31 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
56685 2013-09-04 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
56719 2013-09-04 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
56720 2013-09-04 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
56682 2013-09-03 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
3521 2013-09-01 Dubuque County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected BAMONA 1
8679 2013-09-01 Dubuque County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
56693 2012-09-12 Dubuque County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 10
8680 2012-09-09 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
3527 2012-09-08 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected BAMONA 1
6918 2012-09-08 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
6919 2012-09-08 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
8681 2012-09-08 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
8682 2012-09-08 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
8683 2012-09-08 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tom Jantscher 1
6916 2011-09-25 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208374 2011-09-25 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
56671 2011-09-10 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Armund Bartz 1
208367 2010-09-12 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208368 2010-09-12 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208369 2010-09-12 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208370 2010-09-12 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208371 2010-09-12 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208372 2010-09-12 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208373 2010-09-12 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208356 2010-09-04 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 12
208358 2010-09-04 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208361 2010-09-04 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208362 2010-09-04 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208363 2010-09-04 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208364 2010-09-04 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208365 2010-09-04 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208366 2010-09-04 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
138209 2010-08-29 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 3
208357 2010-08-29 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208359 2010-08-29 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
208360 2010-08-29 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Aaron Brees 1
138206 2010-08-13 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Paul Roisen 1
3528 2010-08-08 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
3529 2010-08-08 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
56726 2009-09-06 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 2
56721 2008-08-24 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 3
56683 2006-09-12 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 3
56728 2005-09-14 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 8
56684 2005-09-12 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 6
56727 2005-09-11 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 2
56725 2003-09-07 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 10
56680 1997-09-14 Jackson County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jeff Nekola 1
107235 1994-08-27 Lyon County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
107230 1993-08-25 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
107236 1992-08-22 Lyon County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 5
107231 1991-09-07 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56702 1991-09-01 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56703 1991-09-01 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56707 1991-09-01 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 4
56732 1991-09-01 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 42
56687 1991-08-31 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56688 1991-08-31 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56691 1991-08-31 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107220 1991-08-31 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
107221 1991-08-31 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107223 1991-08-31 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107225 1991-08-31 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107269 1991-08-31 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56686 1991-08-30 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56690 1991-08-30 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56692 1991-08-30 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107242 1991-08-24 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107233 1991-08-23 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56689 1991-08-21 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56706 1991-07-20 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
29848 1991-07-01 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56694 1990-09-09 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56695 1990-09-09 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107273 1990-09-09 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
107224 1990-09-08 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
240087 1990-07-04 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107253 1989-09-29 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56708 1989-09-09 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
107210 1989-09-09 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107232 1989-09-09 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107238 1989-09-09 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107239 1989-09-09 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107270 1989-09-09 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107216 1989-09-05 Monroe County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107217 1989-09-05 Monroe County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
107226 1989-09-05 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56681 1989-09-02 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 43
56729 1989-09-02 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
56730 1989-09-02 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56731 1989-09-02 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56734 1989-09-02 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107211 1989-09-02 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107213 1989-09-02 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
107214 1989-09-02 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107215 1989-09-02 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107218 1989-09-02 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 4
107219 1989-09-02 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107271 1989-09-02 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107272 1989-09-02 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107274 1989-09-02 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107275 1989-09-02 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56709 1989-08-31 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
107222 1989-08-31 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56678 1989-08-29 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107234 1989-08-26 Sioux County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56672 1989-08-24 Cerro Gordo County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107240 1988-10-24 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107247 1988-10-01 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107252 1988-10-01 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107261 1988-10-01 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107243 1988-09-24 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107246 1988-09-24 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107251 1988-09-24 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
56675 1988-09-17 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56677 1988-09-17 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56679 1988-09-17 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56696 1988-09-10 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56699 1988-09-10 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56701 1988-09-10 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 3
107245 1988-09-10 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107250 1988-09-10 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107259 1988-09-10 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56722 1988-09-05 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 3
56723 1988-09-05 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56724 1988-09-05 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107244 1988-09-05 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107249 1988-09-05 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107255 1988-09-05 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107256 1988-09-05 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107257 1988-09-05 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107258 1988-09-05 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107262 1988-09-05 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107237 1988-09-04 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
107260 1988-09-04 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
107265 1988-09-04 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107266 1988-09-04 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107267 1988-09-04 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107268 1988-09-04 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107227 1988-09-02 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
107228 1988-09-02 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107229 1988-09-02 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56713 1988-08-28 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
56715 1988-08-28 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56698 1988-08-24 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56700 1988-08-24 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56704 1988-08-24 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107241 1988-08-24 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107263 1988-08-24 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107264 1988-08-24 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56673 1988-08-21 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 2
56674 1988-08-21 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56676 1988-08-21 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56710 1988-08-20 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56714 1988-08-20 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56716 1988-08-20 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56717 1988-08-20 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56718 1988-08-20 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107248 1988-08-20 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107254 1988-08-20 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56697 1986-09-21 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56705 1986-09-21 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56733 1983-09-08 Osceola County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Ron Howe 1
3519 1950-08-25 Audubon County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3520 1950-08-25 Des Moines County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3522 1950-08-25 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3523 1950-08-25 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3524 1950-08-25 Lyon County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3525 1950-08-25 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3526 1950-08-25 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3530 1950-08-25 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3531 1950-08-25 Polk County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3532 1950-08-25 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3533 1950-08-25 Poweshiek County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3534 1950-08-25 Scott County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3535 1950-08-25 Sioux County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3536 1950-08-25 Story County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3537 1950-08-25 Winneshiek County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3538 1950-08-25 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
107212 1950-08-25 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56712 1930-08-31 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56711 1930-08-26 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1

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