North American Ecology (US and Canada)
provided by North American Butterfly Knowledge Network
Poanes mystic is a year-round resident across the northern United States and southern Canada (Scott 1986). Habitats are moist meadows and creeksides. Host plants are species from several grass genera. Eggs are laid on or near the host plant singly. Individuals overwinter as fourth instar larvae. There is one flight each year in most of the range with the approximate flight time June 15-July 31, two flights in southern Michigan and coastal New York/New Jersey between late May-early Sept. (Scott 1986).
Conservation Status
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Not of concern in Alberta.
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Cyclicity
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Most commonly encountered between mid June and mid July.
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Distribution
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Eastern BC east to eastern Quebec, south to Arizona and Virginia (Opler 1999, Layberry et al. 1998).
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General Description
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Most similar to the Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides), from which it is distinguished by the dark marginal border of the forewing upperside: this is obscure and not sharply defined in P. mystic, while O. sylvanoides has sharp, zigzag border with the median orange area.
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Habitat
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A species of mesic grasslands and meadows throughout the province.
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Life Cycle
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Eggs are greenish white (Bird et al. 1995). Larvae are dark brown with white mottling, short spines and a dark brown, hairy head (McCabe & Post 1977). Bird et al. (1995) report that half-grown larvae overwinter, but Saunders (1869) states that pupation occurs in August about a month after the eggs are laid. Adults often perch on vegetation and take nectar at legumes (Hooper 1973), including alfalfa. The Long Dash Skipper frequents moist grassy areas, often near water, particularly in the prairie grasslands.
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Trophic Strategy
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Larvae feed on broad-leaved grasses including blue grass (Poa agassizensis, P. pratensis) quack grass (Agropyron repens), Timothy grass (Phleum pratense) and Agrostis gigantea (Bird et al. 1995, Layberry et al. 1998).
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Polites mystic
provided by wikipedia EN
Polites mystic, the long dash or long dash skipper, is a species of butterfly. The species is commonly found in north of North America and in mountains in the south of North America, in grassy habitats.[1] The grassy areas include meadows, marshes, streamsides, wood edges, and prairie swales. On the top, the species has dark brown reddish to yellowish-orange markings. The forewing of the female has a broad black patch at the base. The forewing of the male has a long, slightly curved stigma which may be connected to the dash near the apex. Underneath the hindwing, the species is orange brown with a curved band of equal-sized yellow spots.[2]
References
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Polites mystic: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Polites mystic, the long dash or long dash skipper, is a species of butterfly. The species is commonly found in north of North America and in mountains in the south of North America, in grassy habitats. The grassy areas include meadows, marshes, streamsides, wood edges, and prairie swales. On the top, the species has dark brown reddish to yellowish-orange markings. The forewing of the female has a broad black patch at the base. The forewing of the male has a long, slightly curved stigma which may be connected to the dash near the apex. Underneath the hindwing, the species is orange brown with a curved band of equal-sized yellow spots.
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