Observation date: October 09, 2021
Submitted by: Tommie Rogers
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: It was among several Ocola Skippers along a trail in mixed woods.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Alex Stach
Verified date: April 01, 2026
Coordinator notes: Thanks for contributing! This is an Ocola Skipper—note the slender, elongated forewings extending significantly past the hindwings, which among southeastern Hesperiini is only found in the genus Panoquina. This one is on the worn side, which often causes butterflies to look paler in color, and Ocolas often have pale wing veins similar to Berry's Skippers.
In addition to the wing shape, the brownish overall ground color, reduced subapical spots, thin and uniformly black antennae with long apiculi, and long, slender, backwards-facing spine on the bottom of the middle leg tibia (visible in photos 2-3) suggest Ocola Skipper as well. Salt Marsh Skipper and Obscure Skipper are similar, but the former has a white dash and anal margin on the ventral hindwing, and Obscure has three white dots on the ventral hindwing (both are lacking in this individual). The latter species also has slightly less slender forewings.
