The Dakota Skipper
Meet Dakota!
About the Dakota Skipper: The Dakota Skipper is a small butterfly (21-33mm) found in Canada, specifically in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The female can be identified by her orange and brown dorsal wings with pale spots and her forewing, while the male has tawny orange dorsal wings with distinct dark markings on his forewing. In 2014, the species was classified as "Endangered" by the COSEWIC and was listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2005.
Dakota Skippers are habitat specialists, meaning they depend on specific habitats for their survival. This species can be found exclusively in native tall-grass and upland dry mixed prairie ecosystems, where the female can lay her eggs on larval host plants such as prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) or little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium).
Their Importance: Dakota Skippers play a crucial role in the health of prairie ecosystems by pollinating a variety of native flowers like Narrow-leaved Prairie Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia), Gaillardia, or Wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum). Their presence is also an important indicator of the health of their native ecosystems.
The main threats: Since the 1850s, Dakota skippers have experienced over 99% losses in their prairie habitat. Currently, the species is primarily threatened by the increasing intensity of floods affecting their low-relief habitat. The intensification of agriculture, habitat fragmentation, and climate change are believed to be the main reasons for this increase. Misuse of pesticides, wildfires, and overgrazing are also contributing factors to the decline of Dakota Skippers.
How to help: If you live close to their habitat, we recommend planting native species that could benefit Dakota Skippers, such as goldenrod. Refer to our Ecoregional Planting guides for more information. It's also crucial to talk about and learn about this species for their survival. By spreading awareness in your community about their status, we can ensure Dakota and her friends don't disappear in silence.