Common Roadside-Skipper
Common NameCommon Roadside-Skipper
Scientific NameAmblyscirtes vialis
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)27
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, black, white, gray
HabitatRoadsides, open fields, dry prairies, forest edges, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeEastern and Central North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast
Host Plantslittle bluestem, poverty oatgrass, panic grasses
Flight PeriodApril to October (multiple broods)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on grasses, creating shelters by tying leaves together, and typically overwinter as pupae or mature larvae.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, overall dark brown to black coloration, and the diagnostic grayish-white wash on the hindwing underside, often with faint darker veins. The antennae are distinctly hooked at the tip.
Description
A small, dark brown skipper with a robust, hairy body. Its forewings feature a few small white spots, and the hindwings have a distinct grayish wash on the underside.
