Species Atalopedes campestris - Sachem - Hodges#4049

4049

Atalopedes campestris (Boisduval)

Orig. Comb: Hesperia campestris Boisduval, 1852

se US spmns have been treated as subspecies huron by some authors, but this population is not sufficiently distinct to warrant subspecific recognition. [Butterflies of Canada]

Adult: upperside of male forewing yellowish-orange with wide brown border and large rectangular black stigma. Female has smaller black stigma with square transparent white spot at distal end. Female hindwing underside has medial band of squarish cream spots on yellowish-brown ground color

Larva: head black; body dark olive green with dark brownish dorsal line and tiny darker bumps [adapted from description at Butterflies of Canada]

Resident in southeastern United States, and extreme southwest, Mexico. Fall migrant northward into great plains, along west coast, rarely reaching southern Canada.

Almost any open space: fields, meadows, parks, roadsides, disturbed areas, lawns, etc.

Two or more flights in south; migrant in north. April-June, July-October (North Carolina). August-October (upper midwest, northeast). All year in Florida and southern Texas.

Larvae feed on various grasses, including Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon), crabgrass (Digitaria), St. Augustine Grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), and goosegrass (Eleusine).

Adults take nectar from flowers of many herbaceous and shrubby plants.

Three to five generations per year, depending on latitude and local conditions. Males perch on ground in grassy areas to look for females. Females lay single eggs on dry grass blades in the afternoon.

The Sachem, Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), and Whirlabout (Polites vibex) are called the "three wizards" by butterfly-watchers.(1) Perhaps one has to be something of a wizard to identify them as they flit about on fall flowers.

Resembles skippers of genus Hesperia but antennae more hooked than in Hesperia.

Female of Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna) lacks distinct medial hindwing band.

Glassberg, p. 181, plate 57 (1)

Brock, p. 302 (2)

Scott, #500, p. 448, gives details of life history. (3)

Butterflies of America - BOA

Moth Photographers Group - MPG

Butterflies of Canada - BOC (CBIF)