Howard County Bird Club

Zabulon Skipper

Place name abbreviations: MPEA – Middle Patuxent Environment Area; PRSP – Patuxent River State Park; PVSP – Patapsco River Valley State Park.

Click on the common name to obtain additional information from the Butterflies and Moths of North America web page and the following common name for additional information from USGS web page. BugGuide is another web resource.

Legend:

See information on a mosaic gynandromorph Zabulon Skipper with photos at end.

The phenograms show the maximum number of individual butterflies of this species seen in the first eight years of the Howard County Butterfly Survey. From these graphs, one can see the number of broods of each species, when they are active, and the relative abundance of the species in each brood. The observed early and late dates are shown below The graphs can be used to anticipate the first sighting of a given species in the year and can help with identification.

Early: 5/1/2019 Late: 10/10/2020

One of a Kind – Mosaic Gynandromorph
Zabulon Skipper by Annette Allor

Rockburn Branch Park August 15, 2021. Photos by Annette Allor. Some of the photos also have a regular male Zabulon Skipper.

On August 15, 2021, my plans for the day were the same as the prior several days: go to Rockburn Branch Park in Howard County, Maryland to search for the Harvester butterfly. My chances were better than average at finding at least one. The Beech Wooly Aphids were particularly plentiful this year, and the Harvester caterpillars and butterflies both feed on them.

Upon arrival at Rockburn, I hiked the trails and checked my favorite spots before venturing onto the Morning Choice trail. The number of beech trees with aphids was incredible but I could not locate the Harvester.

I continued on the trail until I reached an opening. Walking along the forest edge, I found a few patches of thistles in peak bloom covered with Zabulon Skippers. I walked closer and saw a skipper that I did not recognize. It’s funny how your brain tries to process what you are seeing for the first time. It took me a few seconds to figure out that this butterfly was, in fact, a Zabulon Skipper. But what a skipper it was! It had both male and female characteristics. I have seen gynandromorph photographs of butterflies with one side female and the other male, but this skipper showed a blending of traits throughout. The underside of a normal Zabulon male skipper is yellow orange with several small reddish-brown spots, while the female is dark brown and purple gray with frosting on the outer margins. This skipper showed the dark brown color and frosting of the female along with the yellow orange markings of the male. I have never seen anything quite like it. I started taking photos from all angles. The typical Zabulon males that also appeared in the frame were perfect for comparison purposes. There were no Zabulon females present or I would have asked them to partake in the fun. I left this beauty nectaring on the thistle and continued hiking.

Upon returning home, I emailed Harry Pavulaan, a world-renowned butterfly expert and friend, with photos of my find. Harry’s response, “In a nutshell: WOW. Gynandromorphs, in this case a mosaic gynandromorph, usually are only noticed in Swallowtails and species where males and females look quite different. But what makes this one yet more significant is that it’s a skipper. I have never seen or heard of a skipper with mosaic gynandromorph features. You may be the first to document this, though it’s possible there are older reports of bilateral gynandromorphs out there.”

After later investigations and subsequent emails, it turns out that this Zabulon Skipper is the only one ever documented with mosaic gynandromorphism. As per Harry: “I hear from others that there are only two known bilateral gynandromorph skippers, and only one documented in print (in the Clark & Clark Virginia book). Yours is yet more unique – a mosaic gynandromorph. The only one ever documented.”

This news was very exciting and is important to show  that anyone can make an important discovery.  Harry Pavulaan, makes the point that “it used to be that a handful of academics would dominate natural science and there was no way for regular folks to break into the field and present their findings. We’re learning so much these days, thanks to more eyes watching”

Annette began her butterflying obsession in 2011 working with her mentor Dick Smith. She quickly became one of, if not the most accomplished butterflier in Howard County and in the state. She travels all over Maryland in search of butterflies and has put together an excellent photographic resource website at marylandbutterflies.com. She also volunteers for the Maryland Department of Resources to conduct surveys of rare and threatened wetland butterfly species.