North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Arkansas

Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon (=samoset))
JPG -- species photo

Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon [Scudder])

Wing span: 1 - 1 3/16 inches (2.5 - 3.1 cm).

Identification: Upperside is reddish brown with pale spots; male forewing has a black stigma. Underside of hindwing is light gray-green with a pale postmedian band.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: One brood from April-July.

Caterpillar hosts: Bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans and S. secundum), and Indian woodoats grass (Chasmanthium latifolia).

Adult food: Nectar from flowers including viburnum and blackberry.

Habitat: Near streams in forest glades and edges.

Range: Nova Scotia and Maine west to southern Manitoba; south to Georgia, north Florida, and southeastern Texas. Mostly absent from the coastal plain.

Conservation: Not usually required.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.

References:

Opler, P. A. and G. O. Krizek. 1984. Butterflies east of the Great Plains. Johns 
     Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 294 pages, 54 color plates.

Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern butterflies. Peterson 
     field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston. 396 pages, 48 color plates.

Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, 
     Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.

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:

Opler, P.A. 1998. A field guide to eastern butterflies, revised format.
     Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.
Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon (=samoset))
distribution map
map legend

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