Dusted Skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna) |
There is debate as to whether this spices
should be split into two spearate species. Some experts belileve that
the loammi skipper (Aatrytonopsis loammi) whose range includes the
eastern gulf coast and most of Florida is a subspecies of Atarytonopsis
hianna, the dusted skipper. Only the extreme northern and
northeastern part of Louisiana is included in the range of A. hianna.
However, I have found them in abundance Kisatchie National Forest in
Natchitoches Parish in April. I have also seen several in central
Louisiana. Some of the skippers in Kisatchie look like the published
photos of A. Loammi and others look like published photos of A.
hianna. Still others appear to be intermediate forms. See
the photos below. Although I have searched, I have not seen a second
brood of this species in Louisiana. A. loammi has a second
brood along the eastern gulf coast and Florida. |
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Coldwater Prairie, Coldwater Rd, Winn Parish, LA, April 1, 2011 |
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Kisatchie National Park, Natchitoches Parish, April 8, 2015 |
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Kisatchie National Park, Natchitoches Parish, April 8, 2015 |
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Kisatchie National Park, Natchitoches Parish, April 2, 2006 |