Bronze Roadside-Skipper
Common NameBronze Roadside-Skipper
Scientific NameAmblyscirtes aenus
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)28
Primary Colorsdark brown, bronze, gray, white
HabitatDry woodlands, rocky canyons, arid grasslands, chaparral
Geographic RangeSouthwestern United States, northern Mexico
Host Plantsgrama grass, various prairie grasses
Flight PeriodApril to October
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on grasses, creating leaf shelters, and overwinter as partially grown larvae before pupating.
Identification TipsKey features include the bronze sheen on the upperside, the mottled dark brown and gray underside, and the prominent white spot near the forewing apex. Distinguish from similar *Amblyscirtes* species by these markings.
Description
A small, dark skipper characterized by its bronze-brown upperside and mottled dark brown and gray underside, often displaying a distinct white spot near the forewing apex.
