Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Columbian Skipper
Hesperia columbia (Scudder, 1872)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
Identification: Above bright orange or dark orange with surrounding dark areas. Underside of hindwing with chevron limited to small bright white spots only in portion closest to inner margin of hindwing.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 5/16 inches (2.2 - 3.4 cm).
Life History: Males perch on hilltops to await females.
Flight: March to June, September to October (2 flights).
Caterpillar Hosts: Grass (Koehleria cristata).
Adult Food: Nectar from various flowers.
Habitat: Chaparral, edges and hilltops in or near chaparral.
Range: Southwest Oregon south through Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills of California to Baja California Norte.
Conservation: Habitats within range susceptible to invasion by alien Mediterranean weeds and housing development.
NCGR:
Management Needs: No specific needs reported.
Comments: NULL