Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Pepper and Salt Skipper
Amblyscirtes hegon (Scudder, 1864)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
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.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 3/16 inches (2.5 - 3.1 cm).
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.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL