Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Simius Roadside-Skipper
NotAmblyscirtes simius W.H. Edwards, 1881


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Hesperiinae
Identification: Upperside varies from dark brown to orange-brown; fringes are pale; male forewing has a small stigma. Forewing of both sexes has small pale spots forming a complete postmedian band which angles outward near the cell. Underside is gray with orange in the center of the forewing; both wings have a complete row of small pale spots.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.2 cm).
Life History: Males perch in the morning on top of small plateaus to wait for receptive females. Females deposit eggs singly under leaves of the host plant.
Flight: One brood from May-July in the north; several broods from April-August in the south.
Caterpillar Hosts: Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis).
Adult Food: Nectar from a variety of flowers including Penstemon, Cirsium, and Verbena.
Habitat: Open pinyon-juniper woodland, shortgrass and mixed-grass prairie.
Range: Saskatchewan and Montana south through Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico to Arizona, Texas, and northern Mexico.
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: 6/16/10 - Changed from "Amblyscirtes" to NotAmblyscirtes because there is no accepted genus at this time.
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