| Polites themistocles (Latreille, [1824]) |
| Status: Common resident |
| Flight Period(s): Two extended flights. It has been found in Nebraska from 18 May – 30 Sept. |
| Range: Found through most of the U.S. with the exclusion of large parts of Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, California and Texas. It occurs statewide in Nebraska. |
| Larval Hostplant(s): Grasses - Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis), and Panicum and Digitaria species |
| Overwinter: As a partially grown caterpillar |
| Commentary/Habitat: This is the most common and adaptable Polites species in Nebraska, tolerating and thriving in areas many other skippers cannot. It utilizes a wide variety of grassy habitats including prairies, pastures, road ditches and parks. It is one of several skippers found in suburban areas along with P. peckius, A logan, and A. campestris. Adults have been observed taking nectar from dogbane, milkweed, thistles, and alfalfa. |
| Similar Species: The Tawny-edged Skipper is most frequently confused with the cross-line skipper Polites origenes. P. origenes is a little larger and usually has a distinguishable row of spots on the underside of the hind wing. On the dorsal surface P. themistocles has more orange shading on the base of the fore wing, and the hindwing generally lacks any maculation which is sometimes found on P. origenes . |
