Two-banded Checkered-skipper
(Pyrgus ruralis)
Spread-wing Skippers
Appearance: Above, blackish-brown with checkered fringes and bold pattern of squarish white spots forming two crossing bands (roughly “X” shaped) on forewing. Hindwing above usually shows two rows of white spots and a white basal spot.
Wingspan: Small; 1 to 1 1/8 inches.
Habitat: Moist clearings, meadows, streamsides up to and above tree line.
Flight Times: April to July; one brood.
Larval Foodplant: Herbaceous plants in the rose family.
Did You Know…
Males patrol and often perch close to the ground. Females lay eggs singly on the host plant. Caterpillars make a webbed leaf nest in which they live and feed. Can be difficult to separate from other members of the Checkered-Skippers where ranges overlap.
