North American Butterflies and Moths List

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U.S. Geological Survey


Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Arizona

Elissa Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes elissa)

Elissa Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes elissa Godman)

Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 2.9 cm).

Identification: Upperside of wings is gray-green. Forewing upperside has a pale cream spot in the cell and a median band of pale cream spots that is jagged near the wing tip. Hindwing upperside may or may not have spots.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: One brood from June-August in Arizona.

Caterpillar hosts: Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) and probably other grasses.

Adult food: Nectar from flowers including garden rosemary and Cnidoscolus.

Habitat: Not reported.

Range: Southern Mexico north to southeastern Arizona.

Conservation: Not usually required.

Management needs: None reported.

References:


Bailowitz, R. A., and J. P. Brock. 1991. Butterflies of southeastern Arizona. 

     Sonoran Arthropod Studies, Inc., Tucson, Arizona. 342 pages.



Stanford, R. E. and P. A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of western USA butterflies including 

     adjacent parts of Canada and Mexico. Denver and Fort Collins, CO. 

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

State and Regional References:


Bailowitz, R. A. and J. P. Brock. 1991. Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. 

     Tucson, Ariz.: Sonoran Arthropod Studies, Inc.



Garth, J.S. 1950. Butterflies of Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon 

     Natural History Association, Grand Canyon, Ariz.



Opler, Paul A. 1999. Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, revised 

     edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.



Stanford, R.E. and P.A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western USA Butterflies. 

     Privately published, Denver, Colo.



Tilden, J.W. and A.C. Smith. 1986. A Field Guide to Western Butterflies. 

     Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.

Elissa Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes elissa)
distribution map
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