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Leonard's Skipper is wary and difficult to approach, and its flight is more powerful than most other skippers with its wing span of 2.8 to 3.4 cm. It is bright reddish-orange above, with wide black borders and heavy black markings. Underside of hindwing is brick red with a band of white, cream, or yellow spots. The female is dark brown except for tawny-orange bands on each wing.
August and September are the months for viewing this butterfly in the Algonquin Highlands, and are found in open grassy areas including fields, barrens, and meadows.
Males perch near flowering plants to find receptive females. Eggs are scattered on or near the host plants. The larvae are pale brown, mottled with reddish brown. Caterpillars feed on perennial grass leaves and live in shelters of tied leaves. Young caterpillars hibernate. The mature caterpillar is maroon with green highlights.
Adult feed on flower nectar, most often purple and blue flowers.
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LEONARD'S SKIPPER
Hesperia leonardus
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