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Federal Protection: No US federal protection

State Protection: No Georgia state protection

Global Rank: G3

State Rank: S2

Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: Yes

SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes

SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes

2025 SGCN Priority Tier: Moderate Conservation Concern

Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 4

Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Brackish marshes

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Description

A dull orange butterfly without distinguishing characteristics.  Males may have a dark hooklike mark on the underside of the forewing.  Thick dark borders also may be present on the wings.

Similar Species

Delaware skipper and Argos skipper are similar in appearance.

Habitat

Observed in marshy habitats.  

Diet

Larval food uncertain.  Possible foods include: Giant Cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides) and Northern Wild-rice (Zizania aquatica).  Neighboring states report that adult butterflies nectar on pickeral weed  (Pontederia cordata) and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).

Life History

Multiple broods in the warmer states suggest that this butterfly might have at least two times that they will be seen to fly in Georgia.

Survey Recommendations

Surveys to learn where popuations occur are needed.

Range

Rare, but locally present along the Atlantic coastline of the United States.  Only detailed records in Georgia occur in Chatham County.

Threats

Habitat degredation and alteration.  Pesticide use.

SWAP 2025 Threat Matrix

	Threat 1	Threat 2	Threat 3
General Threat	Natural system modifications	Pollution	Climate change & severe weather
Specific Threat	Fire & fire suppression	Air-borne pollutants	Storms & flooding

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SWAP 2025 Conservation Actions:

• Action 1: Reassess the conservation status of SGCN before the next revision of Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan
• Action 2: Reduce the impacts of pesticides on terrestrial invertebrates through education and alternative management practices

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References

Cook, Will. Rare Skipper (Problema Bulenta), www.carolinanature.com/butterflies/rareskipper.html.

“Rare Skipper Problema Bulenta (Boisduval & Leconte, [1837]).” Rare Skipper Problema Bulenta (Boisduval & Leconte, [1837]) | Butterflies and Moths of North America, 11 June 2014, www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Problema-bulenta.

 

Authors of Account

Anna Yellin

Date Compiled or Updated

December 27, 2019