Northern Faceted Skipper
Common NameNorthern Faceted Skipper
Scientific NameAmblyscirtes hegon
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsbrown, golden-brown
HabitatDeciduous and mixed woodlands, forest edges, clearings, powerline cuts
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Canada south to Georgia and Mississippi
Host Plantspanic grass, wood reed
Flight PeriodMay to June (sometimes a partial second brood in July-August in the south)
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 larvae before pupating.
Identification TipsLook for its uniform dull brown coloration on both upper and lower wing surfaces, lacking prominent white spots. It has a characteristic fast, darting flight close to the ground.
Description
A small, dull brown skipper with relatively plain, unmarked wings, often blending in with leaf litter. Its body is also brown, and the antennae have a distinct club with a hooked tip.
