Orange Skipperling (University of Arizona Pollinator Field Guide)

Orange Skipperling

Copaeodes aurantiaca

Who am I? ³

Heya! I am known as an Orange Skipperling, or Copaeodes aurantiaca. There is not much to know about me at the moment, but hopefully that will change in the future!

Quick facts ³

Common name: Orange Skipperling

Scientific name:Copaeodes aurantiaca (Hewitson 1868)

Characteristics:

Wing span: 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches (1.9 - 2.9 cm)
Orange upper and lowerside
Males: black marking on upperside of forewing
Females: narrow black edging on forewing
Caterpillars: white-purplish-white bands on dorsal side

Host plant: Typically grasses, including Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and green spangletop (Leptochloa dubia)

Nectar plant: Variety of flowers

Distribution: SW United States (S California, S Arizona, S New Mexico, and W Texas), Central America to Panama

Flight times: Appears to be close to year-round, with the exception of the cooler months. See seasonality: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/129415-Copaeodes-aurantiaca

Where can you find me on campus? ³

Orange Skipperlings have been observed to enjoy riparian zones and canyons with grasses in the Sonoran desert. Though neither of those habitats are near the University of Arizona, it is still possible to sight them! The campus has a vast area dedicated to grass, so one of these grass species may attract the butterflies' host plants.