Dakota Skipper
Taxonomic name: Hesperia dacotae
Type: Insect
Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN)
Wild Range: Tall-grass prairies of Canada and the United States
Diet: Grasses as caterpillars, nectar from prairie flowers as adults
Longevity: 1 year
Size: Wingspan: 2-3 cm
Catepillars construct shelters from silk and grasses. They emerge during the night to gather grasses for food and return to their shelter during the day.
Assiniboine Park Zoo has started a rearing and release program for this local endangered butterfly. Click here to learn more about our Conservation and Research team's grassland butterfly conservation programs.
Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region