Banded Grass-skipper
Common NameBanded Grass-skipper
Scientific NameAmblyscirtes vialis
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)27
Primary Colorsbrown, pale yellow
HabitatOpen woodlands, forest edges, clearings, roadsides, prairies, fields
Geographic RangeSouthern Canada, eastern and central United States, west to the Rocky Mountains
Host PlantsKentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, Poa species, Andropogon species
Flight PeriodApril to September
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Caterpillars are green with a dark head, feeding on grasses and creating leaf shelters. They typically overwinter as pupae or mature larvae.
Identification TipsLook for its small size, robust dark brown body, and the diagnostic pale, translucent band of spots on the forewing. Its antennae have a characteristic hook at the tip.
Description
A small, dark brown skipper butterfly characterized by a distinct band of pale, somewhat translucent spots across its forewings. The underside is typically a lighter brown or grayish-brown.
