Small Checkered Skipper
Pyrgus scriptura (Boisduval, 1852)
Family: Hesperiidae
Status: Rare western resident, probably extirpated
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Range: Found from western North Dakota and Montana south into Mexico and Arizona. In Nebraska it has been found in Sioux and Scotts Bluff Counties.
Larval Hostplant(s): Sida species, Red False Mallow (Sphaeralcia coccinea) and other Malvaceae.
Broods/Flight Times: Two to three flights to the west, flying from March to mid-May, again in late June to mid-July and lastly from mid-August into October.
Overwintering: As a full-grown caterpillar.
Habitat: It should be searched for in wastelands, alkali areas and shortgrass prairies in association with its hostplants.
Avg. Wingspan: 3/4 – 1 inch
Found at:
Similar Species: Common Checkered Skipper
Notes: There is a specimen in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln collection labeled Hat Creek Valley ( Sioux County), 29 June 1911, R. H. Wolcott. Leussler (1938) cites the same date and county but lists the locality as Prairie Dog Creek.
Small Checkered Skipper, Eddy Co,. NM, Steve Cary
