Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Arizona Powdered Skipper
Systasea zampa (W.H. Edwards, 1876)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Outer margin of hindwing has 2 deep scallops. Upperside is orange-brown with darker olive-brown areas; forewing has a transparent median band that is broken below the cell.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/2 inches (2.5 - 3.8 cm).
Life History: To await females, males perch all day in gulches.
Flight: Several broods from April-October.
Caterpillar Hosts: Possibly various plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Canyons, washes, and other openings in desert, thorn forest, and brushland.
Range: Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas.
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