Identification
Adult: "Variable. Upperside is black with a very wide orange or cream median band and small orange or white postmedian spots. Underside of hindwing is black with a yellow to cream-colored median band, small white postmedian spots, and large cream-colored marginal spots. Red spot near abdomen is usually separate from the median band." [Butterflies and Skippers of North America]
Range
Southwestern United States from Texas to southern California and Nevada. Casual migrant to Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas; rarely to western Missouri. [
nearctica.com]
Habitat
Pinyon or oak woodlands, fields, road edges, fencerows.
Season
Adults fly from March to October in California; year-round in southern Texas.
Food
sunflower (Helianthus), Great Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), crownbeard (Verbesina), and cocklebur (Xanthium).
Internet References
live adult and larva images and other info (Hartman Prehistoric Garden, Texas)
Butterflies and Skippers of North America species account, including pinned adult images and US distribution map (nearctica.com)
live images of all life stages and other info (Stanley Gorodenski)
Butterflies and Moths of North America live images of adult, larva, pupa by Steve West, plus same info and map as nearctica site above (butterfliesandmoths.org)
