New Jersey Butterfly Club

Ocola Skipper

Panoquina ocola

Identification: Very small—FW ≥0.6", with long, narrow wings typical of the genus. Sexes similar. Above: FW brown with several white spots, the largest of which is arrowhead-shaped. These spots are usually larger in the female. HW unmarked brown with center somewhat paler. Below: FW and HW brown with noticeably paler veins, a violet sheen when fresh, and a variably distinct or obscure band of tiny spots across HW. Narrow FW extends well beyond HW. Alternate dark and pale stripes along length of abdomen. Similar skippers: Salt Marsh Skipper has a similar shape and profile but is paler and has a pronounced short white streak on HW below.

NJ Status and Distribution: Immigrant. A variously very rare to uncommon visitor from the southern and mid-Atlantic states. Some years can be common in Cape May county.

Habitat: Many open areas both wet and dry. Most often reported from gardens.

Flight Period: Most observations are from August to October. Extreme dates: North Jersey 7/3-10/28; South Jersey 6/24—11/18.

Caterpillar Food Plants: Wetland grasses.

Overwintering Stage: Does not overwinter in NJ.

Good Locations: Flower gardens around Cape May Point.

Comments: Unusual for a southern species in that some years more are reported in northwestern NJ than in the southern counties.