Nysa Roadside-Skipper
Amblyscirtes nysa W.H. Edwards, 1877
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
Identification: Fringes are checkered black and white. Upperside is black with 3-5 small white spots on the forewing tip. Underside of hindwing is patterned with patches of brown, gray, and black.
Wing Span: 3/4 - 1 3/16 inches (1.9 - 3 cm).
Life History: Adults fly very close to the ground and often rest on bare spots. Males perch at the bottom of gulches to await receptive females. Females lay eggs randomly on the host plants, usually in the late afternoon. Caterpillars eat leaves and make shelters of rolled and tied leaves, then pupate in a silk-lined leaf case in litter at the base of a grass clump.
Flight: Three broods from March-October; several broods throughout the year in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various grasses including St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), crab grass (Digitaria sanguinalis), bristlegrass (Setaria glauca), barnyard grass (Echinochloa pungens), and green spangletop (Leptochloa dubia).
Adult Food: Nectar from low-growing flowers including blue spiraea, marigold, lima bean, and cantaloupe.
Habitat: Open areas including dry rocky ravines, woodland edges, desert grasslands, yards, and gardens.
Range: Southeastern Nebraska, Kansas, and western Missouri; south through Oklahoma and Texas to northern Mexico; west to southeast Colorado, southern New Mexico, and southern Arizona.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 231 verified sightings
Observation date: Feb 23, 2017
Submitted by: wallap74
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 30, 2018
Observation date: Aug 21, 2017
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 05, 2017
Observation date: Sep 08, 2017
Submitted by: greenecycle
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Sep 20, 2017
Observation date: Jul 31, 2017
Submitted by: Raul Delgado
Region: Texas, United States, Webb County
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 01, 2017
Observation date: May 15, 2017
Submitted by: Eric Eaton
Region: Prowers County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 22, 2017
Observation date: Mar 25, 2017
Submitted by: rhedden
Region: Crosby County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 04, 2017
Observation date: Aug 14, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 28, 2016
Observation date: Sep 06, 2016
Submitted by: ddodd
Region: Ellis County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: ddodd
Verified date: Sep 16, 2016
Observation date: Sep 06, 2016
Submitted by: ddodd
Region: Chase County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: ddodd
Verified date: Sep 16, 2016
Observation date: Aug 07, 2016
Submitted by: gunhilda
Region: Payne County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Aug 07, 2016
Observation date: Jun 19, 2016
Submitted by: billd
Region: Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jun 20, 2016
Observation date: Apr 23, 2015
Submitted by: grayhairstreak
Region: Brewster County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 29, 2016
Observation date: Jul 22, 2015
Submitted by: Shirley Wilkerson
Region: Comanche County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 23, 2016
Observation date: Aug 08, 2015
Submitted by: gunhilda
Region: Payne County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Aug 09, 2015
Observation date: Feb 23, 2013
Submitted by: tjrickert
Region: Texas, McMullen County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 18, 2015
Observation date: Feb 23, 2013
Submitted by: tjrickert
Region: Texas, McMullen County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 18, 2015
Observation date: May 29, 2014
Submitted by: jvkopple2
Region: Rooks County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 03, 2014
Observation date: May 23, 2014
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Johnson County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 09, 2014
Observation date: Mar 29, 2014
Submitted by: Redheart Canyonlands
Region: Bandera County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 17, 2014
Observation date: Sep 15, 2013
Submitted by: Sparks7
Region: Burnet County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 23, 2013
Observation date: Sep 10, 2013
Submitted by: CA Ivy
Region: Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 14, 2013
Observation date: Aug 03, 2013
Submitted by: joyceg
Region: Douglas County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 22, 2013
Observation date: Jul 15, 2013
Submitted by: JimConrad
Region: Texas, Real County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 15, 2013
Observation date: Jul 14, 2013
Submitted by: gunhilda
Region: Payne County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 14, 2013
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