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  • Hesperiidae
  • Hesperia
  • Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe)
Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe), Edwards, 1866 - 4022.000000 - 770217.000000 - Special Concern

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.


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Last updated on 2022-11-14 15:38:26
← Hesperia leonardus
Hesperia sassacus →
Photos
Records
Record # Date Locale State Lat/Lon Collected By Count
56771 2008-06-24 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 2
56772 2007-07-21 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 2
56770 2007-07-11 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
56767 2005-07-27 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
56769 2005-07-27 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
107276 2005-06-21 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jerry Selby 1
56745 2005-06-20 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jerry Selby 1
56768 2003-07-25 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 1
56737 2002-08-13 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
115361 2002-07-20 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Chris Edwards 12
56773 2002-07-03 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Frank Olsen 2
29849 1998-08-01 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56741 1997-07-16 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56739 1996-07-02 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jeff Glassberg 1
56757 1992-07-08 Lyon County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
56758 1992-07-08 Lyon County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56759 1992-07-08 Lyon County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56760 1992-07-08 Lyon County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107280 1992-07-06 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107281 1992-07-06 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56742 1992-06-25 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56779 1991-07-20 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56780 1991-07-20 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56789 1991-07-20 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 2
56750 1991-07-10 Jackson County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jeff Nekola 1
56751 1991-07-10 Jackson County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jeff Nekola 1
56752 1991-07-10 Jackson County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jeff Nekola 1
107285 1991-06-30 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107284 1990-07-04 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 5
29850 1990-04-09 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107289 1989-09-09 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56761 1989-08-27 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected J. Nehuevaj 1
56774 1989-08-16 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56775 1989-08-16 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56776 1989-08-16 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56794 1989-07-24 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56798 1989-07-24 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56740 1989-07-21 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56743 1989-06-25 Dickinson County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Ron Harms 1
56744 1989-06-25 Dickinson County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Ron Harms 1
56792 1988-07-01 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56793 1988-07-01 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56795 1988-07-01 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56796 1988-07-01 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
29851 1988-06-26 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56790 1988-06-26 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56791 1988-06-26 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56799 1988-06-26 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
56800 1988-06-26 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107277 1988-06-26 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107282 1988-06-26 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
107283 1988-06-26 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56777 1987-07-14 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jeff Nekola 1
56778 1987-07-14 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jeff Nekola 1
56736 1987-07-11 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
56746 1987-07-10 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected J. Nehuevaj 1
56747 1987-07-10 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected J. Nehuevaj 1
56748 1987-07-10 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected J. Nehuevaj 1
56749 1987-07-10 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
56782 1987-07-10 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56785 1987-07-10 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56735 1987-07-08 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected J. Nehuevaj 1
56753 1987-07-08 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected J. Nehuevaj 1
56754 1987-07-08 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected J. Nehuevaj 1
56755 1987-07-08 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected J. Nehuevaj 1
56762 1987-07-07 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected J. Nehuevaj 1
107286 1987-07-07 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Jeff Nekola 1
56763 1987-06-30 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
56764 1987-06-28 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
56756 1987-06-25 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
56765 1987-06-22 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
56766 1987-06-22 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected 1
56781 1987-06-18 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56784 1987-06-18 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56787 1986-07-17 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56783 1986-07-11 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56786 1986-07-11 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56788 1986-07-11 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56738 1986-06-25 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
56801 1984-07-06 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
56802 1984-07-06 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
56803 1984-07-06 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
56804 1984-07-06 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
107287 1984-07-06 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
107288 1984-07-06 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
107278 1984-07-05 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
107279 1984-07-05 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
56805 1984-07-03 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
56806 1984-07-03 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
56807 1984-07-03 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
107291 1980-07-02 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
107292 1980-07-02 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
107290 1980-07-01 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Dennis Schlicht 1
3539 1950-07-01 Allamakee County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3540 1950-07-01 Clinton County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3541 1950-07-01 Dickinson County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3542 1950-07-01 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3543 1950-07-01 Harrison County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3544 1950-07-01 Jackson County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3545 1950-07-01 Lyon County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3546 1950-07-01 Mills County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3547 1950-07-01 Monona County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3548 1950-07-01 Plymouth County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3549 1950-07-01 Pottawattamie County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3550 1950-07-01 Sioux County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
3551 1950-07-01 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected USGS - NPWRC 1
56808 1950-07-01 Fremont County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1
56797 1930-08-01 Woodbury County, Iowa Iowa Location Protected Tim Orwig 1

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