Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Dayton, Ohio

Male Zabulon Skippers have large golden patches on their wings. This male is nectaring at a clover blossom.

Male Zabulons are encountered more often than the shy females. Males are inquisitive and will frequently leave their perches to approach passing hikers. 

Female Zabulons are some of my favorite skippers. When seen in bright sunlight, they have a deep-red glow, like the color of a garnet.  

This is a female Zabulon Skipper, shown with her wings spread. (Compare to the Little Glassywing, which looks similar but has a square-shaped spot.)

Male and female Zabulons look very different. Females (upper left) are reddish-brown with white frosting on their wings. Males (bottom right) have golden-brown wings. 

This is another female Zabulon Skipper. This species is very common in our area. They are frequently seen along wooded trails and forest edges. 

Male Zabulon Skipper. These skippers have two broods. The first emerges in May and remains common through June. The second typically emerges in late July and flies through early September. (I have seen one straggler as late as September 19th).