The Eufala Skipper is a year-round resident in the southeastern United States and California, ranging south to Argentina and the Greater Antilles.

The underside of the wings is grayish brown. The forewing features three to five squarish, translucent whitish spots in the sub-apical area, which help distinguish this species from the similar Swarthy Skipper, which lacks these spots. The hindwing is plain gray brown, though some individuals may show very faint pale spots forming a sideways “U.”

The upperside of the wings is similar in color to the underside, maintaining the same muted gray brown tones.

 

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Eufala Skipper Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Hesperiinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 – 1 1/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Open, sunny areas such as vacant lots, agricultural areas, road edges, and lawns

 

🪴 Host Plants

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

• Beardless Wild Rye (Elymus triticoides)

• Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum)

• Giant Wild Rye (Elymus condensatus)

• Idaho Fescue (Festuca idahoensis)

• Slender Hairgrass (Deschampsia elongata)

• Six-weeks Fescue (Festuca octoflora)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Eufala Skippers feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

• Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

• Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)

• Narrowleaf Yellowtops (Flaveria linearis)

• Phlox (Phlox spp.)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Spanish Needles (Bidens alba var. radiata)