The Bell’s Roadside Skipper is a dark, ground-hugging butterfly that is easily overlooked and often mistaken for the Pepper and Salt Skipper. The wing fringes are checkered with black and cream, adding subtle contrast to its otherwise dark appearance.

The underside of the wings ranges from dark brown to black, marked with numerous small white spots and grayish overscaling, except at the wing apex. The upperside is black with many tiny white spots concentrated on the forewing.

 

“Bell’s Roadside-Skipper” by Jim Arterburn, licensed by (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Bell’s Roadside-Skipper Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Hesperiinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/16 – 1 1/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Grassy areas near creeks, in woodland openings and edges, and city gardens

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Indian Wood Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

• River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Bell’s Roadside Skippers feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Carolina Vetch (Vicia caroliniana)

• Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens)