Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus)

This is one of the rarest native, breeding butterflies in North Carolina. It's unknown why this butterfly is so rare in NC, as it is common in the western US, and its host plant (American Hog Peanut, Amphicarpaea bracteata), is quite common and widespread.

Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus)
Buncombe Co., NC
8 July 2006

Note the Monarch caterpillar hiding under the same leaf! This individual was seen basking and nectaring on Common Milkweed and remained in the same area for several hours.


Natural light Buncombe Co., NC 8 July 2006	With Flash Buncombe Co., NC 8 July 2006


Jackson Co., FL 8 Aug 2003	Jackson Co., FL 8 Aug 2003

American Hogpeanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata)
Buncombe Co., NC
8 July 2006

Reported to be the host plant for Golden Banded-Skippers, hog peanut is an herbaceous vine in the pea family (Fabaceae). It is common and widespread in NC, however, the skipper is one of the rarest resident butterflies in North Carolina.

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

Created on ... June 2, 2005 | Updated on ... July 9, 2006 | jspippen@duke.edu