Hesperia dacotae, the Dakota skipper, is a small to medium-sized North American butterfly.

The female wing is a darker brown orange and white spots on the forewing margin.

The adult Dakota skippers are active for only three weeks in June and July which is their total lifespan.

Their eggs, which are laid on the underside of leaves, are hatched in July and the caterpillar larvae feed on native grass until they go dormant in late summer.

The Dakota skipper has experienced declining populations from destruction and modification of native prairie for grazing, herbicide use and building.