Orange Skipperling
Common NameOrange Skipperling
Scientific NameCopaeodes aurantiaca
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyHesperiinae
Wingspan (mm)19
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsorange, yellow, white
HabitatOpen grassy areas, prairies, meadows, roadsides, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeSouthern United States (California to Florida, north to Kansas, Missouri, Illinois) and Mexico
Host PlantsBermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, various other grasses
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on grass blades, and pupation occurs in a loose cocoon near the ground.
Identification TipsLook for its small size, brilliant orange coloration, and the characteristic hooked antennae. The underside of the hindwing is typically a paler yellow-orange, often unmarked.
Description
A very small, bright orange skipper with relatively plain wings and a pale underside. Its body is stout, and its antennae have distinct hooked clubs.
