Long Dash — wisconsinbutterflies.org Page 1 of 5

Wisconsin

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This is a fairly easy one to identify when it is fresh with very distinct markings on the hindwing below, but as it wears it becomes a very light where the markings are barely visible. Thus, late in their flight period if I see a light, very worn skipper that doesn’t have easily seen markings it is often this species. In Florence County in 2007 I saw two very worn individuals that contrasted greatly with the very fresh Common Branded Skippers that I was trying to photograph. These individuals were nearly white underneath with barely visible lighter markings on the hind wing below. One of the things that I have noticed about photos that are usually seen online and especially in books is that they are of fresh, nice looking butterflies or skippers. I am sure that I have taken some photos of these worn specimens of this species but even I seemed to have trashed them. Although on the bottom photo you still can easily see the markings on the hind wing below, in more worn individuals these markings are nearly nonexistent. I hope to take a photo of a worn specimen to show this difference.

Weekly sightings for Long Dash

Identifying characteristics

Below, the wings are various shades of brown with a very distinct lighter spot band on the hindwing. Above, the male is orange with a long, wide stigma and a dark border on the forewing. The female is similar with less orange and with wider, darker marks similar, but wider than the male’s stigma. The hindwing of both sexes is marked liked the hindwing from below.

Similar species

This species is very similar to the Indian Skipper. The Indian Skipper is lighter in general than the Long Dash, and the spot band on the hindwing of the Indian Skipper does not contrast with the color of the

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hindwing below as much as that on the Long Dash. Above the Indian Skipper is much lighter, the male with a much thinner stigma and the female without dark markings across the middle of the forewings. I have had trouble distinguishing these species when and where they both occur. In general, the Indian Skipper flies about two weeks before the Long Dash.

Habitat

Found along wetland edges, streams, grassland areas, and roadsides

Flight

One fight, from mid-June to the first week in August

Abundance

A common skipper throughout Wisconsin. It is not uncommon to see 20+ individuals in an area during its peak flight.

Early Long Dash Sightings

Date County Reported by Jun 2, 2007 Wood Ron Arnold Jun 9, 2007 Wood Ron Arnold Jun 10, 2007 Marquette Mike Reese Jun 10, 2007 Wood Ron Arnold Jun 10, 2008 Dane Ann Thering

Locations

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Skippers | Grass-Skippers

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Northeast of Goodman, Marinette Co., WI. July 5, 2006.

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Buena Vista Marsh, Portage Co., WI, June 29, 2005.

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East of Mecan Springs SNA, along the Mecan River, Waushara Co., WI, June 16, 2005.

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Buena Vista Marsh, Portage Co., WI, June 29, 2005.

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Northern Kettle Moranine State Forest, Fond du Lac Co., WI, July 14, 2004.

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Buena Vista Marsh, Portage Co., WI, June 29, 2005.

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http://wisconsinbutterflies.org/butterfly/species/142-long-dash 6/5/2009