Summary ⁶

The Clouded Skipper (Lerema accius) is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae family, subfamily Hesperiinae.

Description ⁷

Wings are dark brown. Upperside of male forewing has a dark black stigma; female forewing has transparent white spots. Underside of hind wing has dark and light patches and a violet-blue sheen.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.2 - 4.5 cm).

Larval Description ⁷

Similar to the Dun Skipper but head with a much broader white "M" shape.

Larval Host Plants ⁷

Various grasses including St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), wooly beard grass (Erianthus alopecturoides), and Echinochloa povietianum.

GTM Occurrence ⁷

The Clouded Skipper is considered a rare species at the GTM. Most observations were in the open habitat along Transect A. Only a few observations have been made in the forest along the Red Bay Walk (Transect D, 2 specimens) and the Marsh Pond Overlook (Transect B, 1 specimen). Adults fly in April, June, August, and peak in September. There have been 7 specimens observed as of December 28, 2015.

Summary ⁸

The Clouded Skipper (Lerema accius) is found in the United States from Georgia west to Texas, south to Florida, and south through Mexico and Central America to Venezuela and Colombia.

Habitat ⁹

Many sorts of grassy habitats, usually disturbed but can be more natural. Commonly seen during migrations in gardens.

Nature serve conservation status ¹⁰

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Sources and Credits

1. (c) pondhawk, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/38686613@N08/4747770516/
2. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/jroldenettel/3134390824/
3. (c) Sean McCann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/deadmike/68763193/
4. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/jroldenettel/5227264083/
5. (c) GTMResearchReserve, all rights reserved, uploaded by GTMResearchReserve
6. Adapted by GTMResearchReserve from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lerema_accius
7. (c) GTMResearchReserve, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
8. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lerema_accius
9. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28831224
10. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28831218

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• Maryland Moths
• Moth Photographers Group
• Moths of North Carolina
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths

iNat Map