Identification: Wings are orange. Upperside has a narrow black border on both wings. Underside of hindwing is golden orange with a pale ray running from the base through the cell to the outer margin. Wing Span: 3/4 - 1 1/16 inches (1.9 - 2.7 cm). Life History: To find receptive females, males patrol with a weak flight over grasses in valley bottoms. Flight: April-October in South Texas, March-December in Mexico and Central America. Caterpillar Hosts: Water bentgrass (Polypogon simiverticillata). Adult Food: Flower nectar from low growing plants. Habitat: Damp grassy areas near streams, ponds, marshes, and ditches. Range: Southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and west-central Texas south through tropical America to Costa Rica. Strays to northeastern New Mexico and South Texas.

Santa Catalina Mountains
Sabino Canyon.
Location: On Willow Smartweed (Persicaria lapathifolia) in front of dam at left edge.

Note: antennae are transversely banded unlike Fiery Skipper (agreed by Fred Heath)
12/12/21

Notes: 1/7/22 IDd with Fred Heath, Mary Klinkel, Marty Horowitz

See Butterflies and Moths of North America Pictures and Description