Taxiles Skipper

(Lon taxiles)
Grass Skippers

Appearance: Above, male is yellow-orange with pronounced narrow black border. Below, male forewing has darkened tip and outer margin; hindwing mostly yellow with brown basal and marginal patches.  Above, female is dark orange-brown with pale orange patches on forewing and central hindwing.  Below, hindwing is violet-brown with pale band of spots and gray scales near the outer margin.

Wingspan: Small; 1 3/8 to 1 5/8 inches.

Habitat: Forest clearings, valley bottoms, grassy areas near water courses; plains, foothills.

Flight Times: Mid-June to August; one brood.

Larval Foodplant: Grasses.

Did You Know…
Formerly called ”golden skipper” by Pyle (1981); it is active in cloudier weather than most butterflies will tolerate.