Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100
Amblyscirtes carolina
This record describes Amblyscirtes carolina (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: upperside dark brown; forewing with small yellow spots; underside of forewing black with dull yellow apex; underside of hindwing dull yellow with brown spots [adapted from description at nearctica.com]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Hesperiinae
- Tribe
- Hesperiini
- Genus
- Amblyscirtes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
near streams and swamps in wet woods
Geographic Range
Virginia to South Carolina, west to Mississippi, plus isolated populations in Delaware, Illinois, and Arkansas (see distribution map )
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to September (3 broods)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae probably feed on Switchcane ( Arundinaria gigantea tecta ) adults nectar from flowers of various herbaceous plants
Life History
3 generations per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Amblyscirtes carolina. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100
What is Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100?
Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100 (Amblyscirtes carolina) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100?
wingspan 29-37 mm
How do you identify Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100?
Adult: upperside dark brown; forewing with small yellow spots; underside of forewing black with dull yellow apex; underside of hindwing dull yellow with brown spots [adapted from description at nearctica.com]
Where is Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | near streams and swamps in wet woods |
| Range | Virginia to South Carolina, west to Mississippi, plus isolated populations in Delaware, Illinois, and Arkansas (see distribution map ) |
What does Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100 eat?
The diet of the Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100 includes larvae probably feed on Switchcane ( Arundinaria gigantea tecta ) adults nectar from flowers of various herbaceous plants.
When is Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100 active?
Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to September (3 broods).
What is the life cycle of a Carolina Roadside-Skipper - Hodges#4100?
3 generations per year