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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies Lepidoptera Hesperiidae Pyrgus ruralis Two-banded Checkered-Skipper |
Size:
wingspread 1-1.25 in. Recognition: Brown-black above, with numerous white spots, generally in two distinct bands across hindwing; underside lighter, reddish to golden-brown with varied white spots; wing fringes white with conspicuous dark stripes. Flight period: Adults are active in late spring and early summer. Hostplants: Larvae feed on a variety of plants in the rose family (Rosaceae), including cinquefoils (Potentilla) and Horkelias. Habitat: Found in moist semiopen areas, such as streamsides, meadows, and forest edges. Distribution: Occurs mainly to our north, in the coast ranges and Sierra Nevada north to British Columbia; also in the central Rocky Mountains. Not definitely reported from Santa Barbara County, but may be found in the county's northwestern corner. |