The Sachem is a widespread butterfly found across the southern United States and extending south to Brazil in South America.

The upperside of the male’s forewing is orange with a brown border and features a large, four-sided black stigma. In females, the upperside is dark brown with golden spots in the center, though the overall coloration can range from light to very dark. The female forewing also includes a black median spot and several semi-transparent spots. A key identifying feature of the female is the square white transparent spot at the end of the forewing cell.

The underside of the wings is variable in both sexes, but the female hindwing is typically brown with pale, four-sided spots.

 

“Sachem” by Victor Slade, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Sachem Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Hesperiinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 1/4 – 1 5/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Disturbed, open areas such as roadsides, landfills, pastures, meadows, fencerows, yards, parks, and lawns

 

🪴 Host Plants

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

• Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.)

• Goosegrass (Eleusine indica)

• Red Fescue (Festuca rubra)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Sachems feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Blue Sage (Salvia azurea)

• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Dogbane (Apocynum spp.)

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

• Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

• Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)

• Phlox (Phlox spp.)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)

• Thistles (Cirsium spp.)

• Tickseed Sunflower (Bidens aristosa)

• White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)