The Golden Banded Skipper is a butterfly found in North and Central America, with two distinct populations: one in the eastern United States and another in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The upperwings are dark brown with a prominent golden yellow band running across the middle of the forewing.

A small white patch appears near the forewing apex along the margin. Both the forewings and hindwings feature a narrow yellow and brown checkered border. The underside of the forewing resembles the upper side but is slightly paler, while the underside of the hindwing is dark brown and crossed by two to three darker bands.

 

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Golden Banded-Skipper Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Pyrginae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/8 – 2 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Damp, wooded ravines with permanent water sources

 

🪴 Host Plants

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

• Thicket Bean (Phaseolus polystachios)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Golden Banded-Skippers feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Blackberry (Rubus spp.)

• Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Carolina Ruellia (Ruellia caroliniensis)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

• Rosinweed (Silphium spp.)

• Spurred Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)