Light Pygmy Skipper
Common NameLight Pygmy Skipper
Scientific NameAncyloxypha numitor
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)22
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorslight brown, tan, pale orange
HabitatWet meadows, marshes, stream banks, ditches, grassy areas near water
Geographic RangeEastern and Central North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast, west to the Great Plains
Host Plantsrice cutgrass, barnyard grass, various wetland grasses
Flight PeriodMay to October (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae are green with a dark head, feeding on grass blades. Pupation occurs in a loose cocoon near the ground, with multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsIts exceptionally small size, plain pale wings (often with a slight orange tint on the forewings), and weak, low, 'skipping' flight close to the ground are key distinguishing features.
Description
A very small, plain skipper with pale tan to light brown wings, often with a faint orange wash, and a slender body. Its antennae are dark with a reddish-brown club tip.
