Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
P. m. mardon (W. H. Edwards), 1881.
P. m. klamathensis Mattoon, J. Emmel, & T. Emmel, 1998.
Identification
Ventral wings are light to dark brown with creamy to white rectangular spots. Dorsal wings have dark borders. The male exhibits an orange leading edge of the forewing with a short black stigma that projects basally as a foot at the trailing edge. Ventral apiculus of the antennal club may be yellow to reddish orange.
Similar species are Sonora skipper (Polites sonora) and Woodland skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides).
Range
Western Washington and western Oregon and northwestern California.
Season
Late Spring and early summer.
Food
Larvae: fescue, oatgrass and other grasses.
Adults: nectar various flowers such as violets, blue-eyed grass, lupines.
Life Cycle
Adults emerge from chrysalis in late Spring to early summer. Larvae eat a variety of grasses then overwinter and pupate during early Spring.
Remarks
Endangered species. Loss of habitat a primary factor.
Contributed by
Cliff Ivy on 27 December, 2016 - 7:39pm
Additional contributions by
Steve NanzLast updated 3 July, 2017 - 3:39am