Zabulon Skipper is one of our more common grass skippers, especially in moist, shady areas.

Zabulon Skippers are sexually dimorphic — the males are quite different, bright yellowish with brownish spots.

Male, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10

The females are dark brown, similar to a Clouded Skipper but with frosting on the top edge of the hindwing.

Female, Durham Co., NC 8/15/10.

Male, Madison Co., NC 4/9/2012.

Male, Madison Co., NC 4/9/2012.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.

Mating pair, Carroll Co., VA 9/1/02.

The males are similar to the related Hobomok Skipper of the mountains, but with more extensive areas of yellow.

Male, Durham Co., NC 7/27/04.

Male, Durham Co., NC 7/27/04.

Male, Alleghany Co., NC 8/31/03.

Female, Durham Co., NC 8/17/02.

Male, Granville Co., NC 4/28/02.

Male, Guilford Co., NC 7/31/04.

Male, Orange Co., NC 5/9/04.

Female, Grayson Co., VA 5/29/05.

Worn female - so worn that a patch of scales has come completely off her right hindwing, creating a pale band.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/4/04.

This dragonfly, an Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis), is eating a female Zabulon Skipper. Caswell Co., NC 8/4/02.