Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)

Fairly common and statewide in NC, although its exact status in the Western third of the state is less well known. There are 3 broods in NC with adults on the wing from early Spring to early Winter.

Another species, White Checkered-Skipper (P. albescens) looks VERY similar and distinguishing the two species by sight alone may not be possible without examining genitalia. White Checkered-Skipper has never been collected in NC, but both species of checkered-skippers appear to be expanding their ranges northward, so it may show up eventually, if it is not here already (see below)!

		This population of checkered-skippers is in southeastern NC, close to where White Checkered-Skippers have been reported in SC. We took a specimen from this population to determine specific identity in the lab. As yet, the exact identity of these two individuals on the left is undetermined. Our suspicions were raised by the lack of a bluish appearance to the males, although Mike Overton suspects these are P. communis based on hindwing fringe markings.
Male New Hanover Co., NC 27 Aug 2005	Female New Hanover Co., NC 27 Aug 2005


Durham Co., NC 2 May 2006	Orange Co., NC 25 Apr 2006


Durham Co., NC 9 Sep 2005	Orange Co., NC 28 Sep 2006


Chatham Co., NC 20 Oct 2005	Chatham Co., NC 20 Oct 2005


Female, nectaring on Bidens aristosa Chatham Co., NC 26 Sep 2004	Worn female Orange Co., NC 19 Sep 2004


Brunswick Co., NC 29 Oct 2006	Chatham Co., NC 20 Oct 2005

Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)

For host plants, Common Checkered-Skippers use many species of mallows (Malvaceae) such as this one in the genus Sida on which I watched one of the above females lay an egg!

Probably Sida rhombifolia
Chatham Co., NC 26 Sep 2004

Female, resting in Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)

Brunswick Co., NC
29 Oct 2006


Duke Gardens, Durham, NC 17 Oct 2007	Duke Gardens, Durham, NC 17 Oct 2007


Duke Gardens, Durham, NC 17 Oct 2007


Duke Gardens, Durham, NC 30 Sep 2007	Duke Gardens, Durham, NC 30 Sep 2007


Jones Co., NC 21 Oct 2007	Jones Co., NC 21 Oct 2007


Eagle Meadows west of Sonora Pass, Tuolumne Co., CA 11 July 2007	Eagle Meadows west of Sonora Pass, Tuolumne Co., CA 11 July 2007

North Carolina Butterflies | North American Butterflies | Jeff's Nature Page

Created on ... April 3, 2005 | Updated on ... Oct 27, 2007 | jspippen@duke.edu