Rhesus Skipper
Polites rhesus (W.H. Edwards, 1878)
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
Identification: Fringes are white. Upperside is dark brown; male stigma is not apparent. Forewing spots are white; larger in the female. Underside of hindwing is greenish brown with white veins, a white band, and irregular dark spots.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/4 inches (2.5 - 3.2 cm).
Life History: To await receptive females, males perch on small mesas up to 6 feet high or on flats where there are no mesas. Females lay eggs singly on the host plants.
Flight: One brood from May-June.
Caterpillar Hosts: Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including Drummond\'s milkvetch (Astragalus drummondii).
Habitat: Native short-grass and mixed-grass prairie.
Range: Southern Manitoba south through the grasslands of Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Arizona, and New Mexico into northern Mexico.
Conservation: Species should be monitored as native short-grass habitats are gradually being replaced by agriculture. Suitable habitats may require moderate grazing.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 111 verified sightings
Observation date: Apr 29, 2023
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 04, 2023
Observation date: Jun 02, 2022
Submitted by: topper72
Region: Colfax County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 09, 2022
Observation date: Jun 04, 2021
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Catron County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 19, 2021
Observation date: May 29, 2021
Submitted by: rebeccagracey
Region: Cibola County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 14, 2021
Observation date: May 13, 2020
Submitted by: HeidiG
Region: El Paso County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jun 14, 2020
Observation date: May 22, 2020
Submitted by: joeschelling
Region: Cibola County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 24, 2020
Observation date: May 22, 2020
Submitted by: joeschelling
Region: Catron County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 24, 2020
Observation date: May 16, 2010
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 23, 2020
Observation date: May 01, 2017
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Torrance County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 23, 2020
Observation date: Jun 16, 1968
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ronald S. Wielgus)
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: May 13, 2006
Submitted by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Region: Madison County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: May 10, 2007
Submitted by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Region: Gallatin County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: May 21, 2003
Submitted by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Region: Broadwater County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: Apr 30, 2000
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jack Harry)
Region: Cascade County, Montana, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Jack Harry)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: May 09, 2007
Submitted by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Region: Jefferson County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: May 11, 2007
Submitted by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Region: Beaverhead County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: May 13, 2006
Submitted by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Region: Silver Bow County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: May 09, 2007
Submitted by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Region: Deer Lodge County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler (Steve Kohler)
Verified date: Jan 23, 2008
Observation date: Jan 01, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Christopher J. Durden)
Region: Culberson County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Ray Stanford)
Verified date: Jan 08, 2008
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: McKenzie County, North Dakota, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Navajo County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Kimball County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Alamosa County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
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