Insects diurnal

Northern Broken-Dash

Polites egeremet

The Northern Broken-Dash is a zippy, olive-brown skipper that brings a touch of subtle elegance to summer meadows. Look for their characteristic darting flight and 'broken' wing markings near your favorite garden blooms.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Wingspan of 2.5–3.8 cm (1.0–1.5 inches)

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Colors

Dull olive-brown to dark chocolate brown; males feature a black 'broken' stigma on the forewing, while females have small, pale yellowish spots.

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Key Features

Broken black scent scale (stigma) on male forewings
Brassy or olive-greenish sheen on the underside of wings
Small, pale spots forming a triangle on female forewings
Stubby, 'skipper' body shape with large eyes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 10 AM - 4 PM

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Season June-August

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Diet Adults drink nectar from a variety of flowers including milkweed, dogbane, clover, and thistles. Larvae feed exclusively on grasses, particularly panic grasses (Dichanthelium).

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Habitat Commonly found in old fields, meadows, forest edges, and suburban gardens with nearby grassy patches.

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Behavior

The Northern Broken-Dash is a member of the Hesperiidae family, commonly known as 'skippers' due to their rapid, darting flight patterns. Unlike many of the more flamboyant butterflies, this species is a master of subtlety, often blending into the shadows of forest edges or the textures of tall grasses. They are primarily solitary, though you may find several congregating around a particularly rich nectar source like milkweed or dogbane.

Males are known for their territorial perching behavior. They choose prominent leaves or grass stalks in sunny patches and wait for females to pass by. If a rival male enters their territory, they engage in a high-speed aerial chase that is often too fast for the human eye to follow clearly. They are sun-lovers and will frequently bask with their wings partially open in a characteristic 'V' shape to soak up heat for flight.

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Camera Tips

To successfully capture the Northern Broken-Dash on a backyard or trail camera, you must focus on 'macro' placement. Because these skippers are small and blend into their surroundings, your camera should be positioned no more than 12 to 18 inches away from target nectar plants. Flowers like Purple Coneflower, Blazing Star, or Butterfly Milkweed are ideal 'stages' for your camera. Angling the camera slightly downward will help capture the diagnostic 'broken dash' marking on the upper side of the wings.

Since skippers are attracted to mineral-rich moisture, a 'puddling station' is an excellent lure. Place a shallow tray of damp sand mixed with a tiny pinch of sea salt or compost in a sunny spot. Position your camera at ground level, facing the tray. This provides a stable, predictable location for the camera's AI to trigger, as the butterflies will remain stationary for several minutes while drinking, allowing for much sharper images than those taken mid-flight.

Lighting is your best friend when photographing this species. Their dark brown and olive tones can easily look like a 'blob' in poor light. Place your camera in an area that receives direct, bright sunlight between 11 AM and 2 PM. High-shutter speed settings are essential if your camera allows them; skippers move their wings incredibly fast, and a standard trail cam may produce motion blur without adequate light and speed.

Consider the background of your shot to ensure the butterfly 'pops.' Setting your camera up near a patch of bright green grass or colorful flowers will provide the necessary contrast for the AI to recognize the insect and for you to appreciate the subtle brassy sheen of its wings. In the peak of summer (July), try placing cameras near the transition zone between a mowed lawn and a wilder, taller grass area, as this is where they are most likely to emerge from their larval host plants.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Northern Broken-Dash.

Little Glassywing

Darker, almost black wings with a very distinct, translucent white square spot on the forewing.

Dun Skipper

Lacks the 'broken' stigma in males and is generally a uniform dark brown with no prominent light spots on the wings.

Crossline Skipper

Very similar but typically has a more orange or tawny tint to the wings compared to the olive-brown of the Broken-Dash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Northern Broken-Dash skippers are most active during the warmest parts of the day, typically between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun provides the energy needed for their rapid flight.

You can attract them by planting native nectar-rich flowers like milkweed and Joe-Pye weed, and by leaving some native grasses unmowed to provide food for their caterpillars.

Adults feed on nectar from flowers like clover and self-heal. The caterpillars (larvae) eat various species of panic grass and other meadow grasses.

Yes, they are quite common in suburban areas across the Eastern United States, particularly in yards that have a mix of flower gardens and nearby grassy fields or woods.

The Northern Broken-Dash has a more olive-brown or brassy tone, while the Little Glassywing is much darker (nearly black) and has a more prominent, clear white spot on the forewing.

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