Other Common Names
Chequered Skipper (Europe)
Identification
Upperside is black with squarish orange spots. Underside of the forewing is orange with black spots; underside of hindwing is red-orange with cream spots outlined in black.
Range
Central Alaska south to central California, south in the Rocky Mountains to northwest Wyoming, east across the Great Lakes states to New York and New England. Eurasia.
Habitat
Glades and openings in heavily forested woods, moist meadows, and streamsides.
Food
Larva: Grasses including purple reedgrass (Calamagrostis purpurascens) in California, and bromes (Bromus) in Europe; probably others.
Adults: Nectar from flowers including iris in California.
Life Cycle
Adults rest with their wings closed, but bask with hindwings open wide and forewings open to about 45 degrees. To find receptive females, males perch on low vegetation and sometimes patrol in openings. Females lay eggs singly on leaves of the host plant. Caterpillars live and feed within nests of silked-together leaves; fully-grown caterpillars overwinter in their nests and then pupate within them in the spring.
Remarks
Considered high priority conservation in Europe.
Contributed by
Joel Kits on 13 March, 2005 - 1:53pm
Additional contributions by
J.D. RobertsLast updated 4 June, 2007 - 9:45am
