Many-banded Skipper
Common NameMany-banded Skipper
Scientific NameAmblyscirtes aenus
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)28
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, dark brown
HabitatDry grasslands, open woodlands, rocky canyons, desert scrub
Geographic RangeSouthwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas) and northern Mexico
Host PlantsBouteloua spp. (grama grasses)
Flight PeriodMay to September (often bivoltine)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae feed on various grasses, constructing shelters from silk and leaf fragments, and pupate within these shelters.
Identification TipsKey features include its uniform brown color with prominent dark banding on the hindwings, the lack of distinct white spots on the forewings, and its preference for dry, grassy habitats in the southwestern US.
Description
A small, robust skipper with an overall dull brown coloration, featuring distinct darker brown bands across the hindwings and a somewhat mottled appearance on the forewings.
