Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096
Amblyscirtes hegon
This record describes Amblyscirtes hegon (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: dark brown with curved line of small white spots extending from the costa of the forewing, and brown and white checkered fringes on both wings; beneath, hindwing and tip of forewing are gray, with slightly greenish tinge, most noticeable in fresh specimens; forewing spots are repeated on the underside and there is a faint chain of linked pale spots on the hindwing underside Larva: pale green white with dark green dorsal stripe and white lateral stripes; head is dark brown with paler vertical stripes and bands (CBIF) Apparently, northern specimens are considerably smaller than southern ones (see Size section above).
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
wooded areas and wood edges
Geographic Range
eastern US (but absent from most of the coastal plain) and southeastern Canada to Manitoba (one record from Saskatchewan)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to July in the south; May and June in the north
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Kentucky Blue Grass ( Poa pratensis ), Indian Grass ( Sorghastrum nutans and S. secundum ), and Indian Woodoats Grass ( Chasmanthium [=Uniola] latifolia ) - also called Spikegrass adults nectar at viburnum, blackberry, honeysuckle, and lilac; also found at roadside puddles
Life History
one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Amblyscirtes hegon. 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 Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096
What is Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096?
Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096 (Amblyscirtes hegon) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096?
In US, wingspan 25-31 mm (nearctica.com) In Canada, wingspan 18-22 mm (CBIF)
How do you identify Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096?
Adult: dark brown with curved line of small white spots extending from the costa of the forewing, and brown and white checkered fringes on both wings; beneath, hindwing and tip of forewing are gray, with slightly greenish tinge, most noticeable in fresh specimens; forewing spots are repeated on the underside and there is a faint chain of linked pale spots on the hindwing underside Larva: pale green white with dark green dorsal stripe and white lateral stripes; head is dark brown with paler vertical stripes and bands (CBIF)
Where is Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wooded areas and wood edges |
| Range | eastern US (but absent from most of the coastal plain) and southeastern Canada to Manitoba (one record from Saskatchewan) |
What does Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096 eat?
The diet of the Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096 includes larvae feed on Kentucky Blue Grass ( Poa pratensis ), Indian Grass ( Sorghastrum nutans and S. secundum ), and Indian Woodoats Grass ( Chasmanthium [=Uniola] latifolia ) - also called Spikegrass adults nectar at viburnum, blackberry, honeysuckle, and lilac; also found at roadside puddles.
When is Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096 active?
Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to July in the south; May and June in the north.
What is the life cycle of a Pepper and Salt Skipper - Hodges#4096?
one generation per year