Wing span: 3.5-4.3 cm.
Flight time: A single flight, with adults emerging from early June to mid August. The great majority of adults have been observed from the end of June to mid July.
Status: Rare breeding resident.
Distinguishing features: The Ottoe Skipper can be differentiated from the similar (and more common) Delaware Skipper based on its larger size, lemon yellow (rather than orange) under wing color, and darker upper wing surface. Males of this species and the Pawnee Skipper (Hesperia leonardus pawnee) are essentially indistinguishable. These species are best separated based upon flight times, with the Pawnee Skipper's flight ranging from the end of August through early October.
Distribution and habitat: This species is limited to xeric prairie habitats dominated by mid- and short-grasses in far western and eastern Iowa. Western Iowa populations are limited to the Loess Hills, to gravel ridges along the Big Sioux River and to moraines along the western margin of the Des Moines Lobe. Eastern Iowa sites are restricted to limestone and sandstone glades, with most of these being found along the Upper Iowa River. Although similar xeric habitats are found throughout northeastern and north central Iowa, no populations have yet been documented in these locations in spite of extensive searching.
Natural History: Larvae have not been observed feeding in Iowa, but they likely consume Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparius), which is often abundant on xeric prairie sites. Oviposition has been noted on this plant, as well as on the flowers of Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida), even though larvae do not eat this plant. Presumably, after hatching the larvae must crawl down the coneflower plants to reach appropriate food sources. The population at Freda Haffner Kettlehole has not been observed in over a decade, and it is likely that it was exterminated by management practices there.
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
56771 | 2008-06-24 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Frank Olsen | 2 |
56772 | 2007-07-21 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Frank Olsen | 2 |
56770 | 2007-07-11 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56767 | 2005-07-27 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56769 | 2005-07-27 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
107276 | 2005-06-21 | Mills County | Iowa | 41.030434 -95.642009 | Jerry Selby | 1 |
56745 | 2005-06-20 | I 29 and Hwy 2 Interchange | Iowa | 40.69 -95.79111 | Jerry Selby | 1 |
56768 | 2003-07-25 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56737 | 2002-08-13 | Five Ridges Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 42.6496 -96.5032 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
115361 | 2002-07-20 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Chris Edwards | 12 |
56773 | 2002-07-03 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Frank Olsen | 2 |
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1998-08-01 | Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve | Iowa | 42.71583 -96.55333 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56741 | 1997-07-16 | Five Ridges Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 42.67867 -96.53473 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56739 | 1996-07-02 | Five Ridges Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 42.67867 -96.53473 | Jeff Glassberg | 1 |
56757 | 1992-07-08 | Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area | Iowa | 43.415681 -96.563796 | 1 | |
56758 | 1992-07-08 | Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area | Iowa | 43.415681 -96.563796 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56759 | 1992-07-08 | Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area | Iowa | 43.415681 -96.563796 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56760 | 1992-07-08 | Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area | Iowa | 43.415681 -96.563796 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
107280 | 1992-07-06 | Anthony Pope Prairie | Iowa | 42.438477 -96.23305 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
107281 | 1992-07-06 | Anthony Pope Prairie | Iowa | 42.438477 -96.23305 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56742 | 1992-06-25 | Five Ridges Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 42.67867 -96.53473 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56779 | 1991-07-20 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56780 | 1991-07-20 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56789 | 1991-07-20 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | 2 | |
56750 | 1991-07-10 | Hamilton Prairie, Jackson County | Iowa | 42.07133 -90.559 | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
56751 | 1991-07-10 | Hamilton Prairie, Jackson County | Iowa | 42.07133 -90.559 | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
56752 | 1991-07-10 | Hamilton Prairie, Jackson County | Iowa | 42.07133 -90.559 | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
107285 | 1991-06-30 | Mount Talbot State Preserve | Iowa | 42.564333 -96.469891 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
107284 | 1990-07-04 | Mount Talbot State Preserve | Iowa | 42.564477 -96.469664 | Tim Orwig | 5 |
29850 | 1990-04-09 | Mount Talbot State Preserve | Iowa | 42.562608 -96.46873 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
107289 | 1989-09-09 | Deer Creek Wildlife Management Area | Iowa | 42.715241 -96.526718 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56761 | 1989-08-27 | Iowa Twp | Iowa | 43.45604 -91.30837 | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
56774 | 1989-08-16 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56775 | 1989-08-16 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56776 | 1989-08-16 | Manikowski Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 41.972843 -90.375383 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56794 | 1989-07-24 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55333 -96.46194 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56798 | 1989-07-24 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55333 -96.46194 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56740 | 1989-07-21 | Five Ridges Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 42.67867 -96.53473 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56743 | 1989-06-25 | Freda Haffner Kettlehole State Preserve | Iowa | 43.349034 -95.222697 | Ron Harms | 1 |
56744 | 1989-06-25 | Freda Haffner Kettlehole State Preserve | Iowa | 43.349034 -95.222697 | Ron Harms | 1 |
56792 | 1988-07-01 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55333 -96.46194 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56793 | 1988-07-01 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55333 -96.46194 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56795 | 1988-07-01 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55333 -96.46194 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56796 | 1988-07-01 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55333 -96.46194 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
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1988-06-26 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55383 -96.4665 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56790 | 1988-06-26 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55333 -96.46194 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56791 | 1988-06-26 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55333 -96.46194 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56799 | 1988-06-26 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55383 -96.4665 | 1 | |
56800 | 1988-06-26 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55383 -96.4665 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
107277 | 1988-06-26 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.523428 -96.435032 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
107282 | 1988-06-26 | Anthony Pope Prairie | Iowa | 42.438477 -96.23305 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
107283 | 1988-06-26 | Anthony Pope Prairie | Iowa | 42.438477 -96.23305 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56777 | 1987-07-14 | New Albin Prairie | Iowa | 43.49679 -91.28762 | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
56778 | 1987-07-14 | New Albin Prairie | Iowa | 43.49679 -91.28762 | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
56736 | 1987-07-11 | Allamakee County | Iowa | 43.2544 -91.38097 | 1 | |
56746 | 1987-07-10 | French Creek Wildlife Management Area | Iowa | 43.39075 -91.412 | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
56747 | 1987-07-10 | French Creek Wildlife Management Area | Iowa | 43.39075 -91.412 | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
56748 | 1987-07-10 | French Creek Wildlife Management Area | Iowa | 43.39075 -91.412 | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
56749 | 1987-07-10 | French Creek Wildlife Management Area | Iowa | 43.39075 -91.412 | 1 | |
56782 | 1987-07-10 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56785 | 1987-07-10 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56735 | 1987-07-08 | Allamakee County | Iowa | 43.2544 -91.38097 | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
56753 | 1987-07-08 | Hanover Twp. | Iowa | 43.37643 -91.54023 | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
56754 | 1987-07-08 | Hanover Twp. | Iowa | 43.37643 -91.54023 | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
56755 | 1987-07-08 | Hanover Twp. | Iowa | 43.37643 -91.54023 | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
56762 | 1987-07-07 | Iowa Twp | Iowa | 43.45604 -91.30837 | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
107286 | 1987-07-07 | Big Prairie | Iowa | 43.268358 -91.370554 | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
56763 | 1987-06-30 | Iowa Twp | Iowa | 43.45604 -91.30837 | 1 | |
56764 | 1987-06-28 | Iowa Twp | Iowa | 43.45604 -91.30837 | 1 | |
56756 | 1987-06-25 | Hanover Twp | Iowa | 43.37643 -91.54023 | 1 | |
56765 | 1987-06-22 | Iowa Twp | Iowa | 43.45604 -91.30837 | 1 | |
56766 | 1987-06-22 | Iowa Twp | Iowa | 43.45604 -91.30837 | 1 | |
56781 | 1987-06-18 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56784 | 1987-06-18 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56787 | 1986-07-17 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56783 | 1986-07-11 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56786 | 1986-07-11 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56788 | 1986-07-11 | Sioux City State Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.5241 -96.4362 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56738 | 1986-06-25 | Fish Farm Mounds Wildlife Area | Iowa | 43.4331 -91.2842 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
56801 | 1984-07-06 | Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve | Iowa | 42.71583 -96.55333 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
56802 | 1984-07-06 | Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve | Iowa | 42.71583 -96.55333 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
56803 | 1984-07-06 | Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve | Iowa | 42.71583 -96.55333 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
56804 | 1984-07-06 | Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve | Iowa | 42.71583 -96.55333 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
107287 | 1984-07-06 | Five Ridges Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 42.67267 -96.530562 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
107288 | 1984-07-06 | Five Ridges Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 42.67267 -96.530562 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
107278 | 1984-07-05 | Loess Hills Pres | Iowa | 42.081393 -95.947187 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
107279 | 1984-07-05 | Loess Hills Pres | Iowa | 42.081393 -95.947187 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
56805 | 1984-07-03 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
56806 | 1984-07-03 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
56807 | 1984-07-03 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
107291 | 1980-07-02 | Lewis and Clark Park | Iowa | 41.305465 -95.860257 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
107292 | 1980-07-02 | Lewis and Clark Park | Iowa | 41.305465 -95.860257 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
107290 | 1980-07-01 | Lewis and Clark Park | Iowa | 41.305465 -95.860257 | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
3539 | 1950-07-01 | Allamakee County | Iowa | 43.243076 -91.443466 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3540 | 1950-07-01 | Clinton County | Iowa | 41.878563 -90.563606 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3541 | 1950-07-01 | Dickinson County | Iowa | 43.404938 -95.184921 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3542 | 1950-07-01 | Fremont County | Iowa | 40.74004 -95.645798 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3543 | 1950-07-01 | Harrison County | Iowa | 41.693386 -95.814285 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3544 | 1950-07-01 | Jackson County | Iowa | 42.156071 -90.52578 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3545 | 1950-07-01 | Lyon County | Iowa | 43.3936 -96.2479 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3546 | 1950-07-01 | Mills County | Iowa | 41.06245 -95.645798 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3547 | 1950-07-01 | Monona County | Iowa | 42.001595 -95.983261 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3548 | 1950-07-01 | Plymouth County | Iowa | 42.776665 -96.152695 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3549 | 1950-07-01 | Pottawattamie County | Iowa | 41.391151 -95.477783 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3550 | 1950-07-01 | Sioux County | Iowa | 43.086994 -96.152695 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3551 | 1950-07-01 | Woodbury County | Iowa | 42.316616 -95.983261 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
56808 | 1950-07-01 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Tim Orwig | 1 |
56797 | 1930-08-01 | Stone State Park | Iowa | 42.55333 -96.46194 | Tim Orwig | 1 |