Ancyloxypha numitor
Size:
Wingspan is 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches.
Similar Species:
Southern Skipperling (coastal
plain only)
European Skipper (summer only in
WV)
Habitat:
Wet grassy areas, marshes, pond edges, wet savannas and places with tall
damp grass.
Range/Abundance:
Common to abundant in most of the
region.
Flight Period:
Adults fly from mid April until late October in three broods with gaps
between broods.
Larval Host Plants:
Grasses including Marsh Millet Zizaniopsis miliacea, Rice Cutgrass
Leersia oryzoides, and Cultivated Rice Oryza sativa.
Comments:
This very small skipper can be identified in flight by its slow weak flight.
Finding it in the field is usually easy. Just walk through tall damp grass
and look closely at the ground below you.
The top photo was taken in Brunswick Co., NC on August 23, 2003 . The center photo was taken in Durham Co., NC on August 17, 2003. The bottom photo was taken in Brunswick Co., NC on June 22, 2003.
