Nastra lherminier
Size:
Wingspan is 1 - 1 1/8 inches.
Similar Species:
Tawny-edged
Skipper
Eufala Skipper
European Skipper (summer only in
WV)
Habitat:
Grassy areas, savannas, power line clearings, edges of marshes, overgrown
fields and weedy areas.
Range/Abundance:
Common in the eastern piedmont
and coastal plain. Uncommon to rare in the mountains and western piedmont.
Flight Period:
Adults fly from early May until late October in two broods with a gap
between broods.
Larval Host Plants:
Little Bluestem Andropogon scoparius
Comments:
This tiny, plain brown skipper can be easily overlooked as it stays close
to the ground most of the time. Cloud cover usually sends it into hiding.
In late summer and fall the Eufala
Skipper could be difficult to tell from the Swarthy Skipper when it
doesn't open its wings. Look to see if the body is entirely brown underneath
to confirm Swarthy Skipper.
The top photo was taken at Penny's Bend Nature Preserve in Durham Co., NC on May 31, 2003. The center photo was taken in Orange Co., NC on October 05, 2003. The bottom photo was taken in Richmond Co., NC on September 28, 2003.
