New Jersey Butterfly Club

Common Roadside-Skipper

Amblyscirtes vialis

Identification: Tiny—FW < 0.5". Sexes similar. Above: FW very dark with prominent white "bracelet," and sometimes two additional tiny pale spots in center of wing. HW unmarked dark brown. Brown-and-tan checkered fringes visible on trailing edges of both wings. Below: Very dark with white "bracelet" on FW contrasting sharply with the overall dark color. When fresh, shows violet frosting on outer portion of both wings. Brown-and-tan checkered fringes along trailing edges of both wings. Similar skippers: Pepper and Salt Skipper is small and dark above but is much lighter below, with a white spot band across HW. Dusted Skipper is also very dark but is much larger and has white around eye and on palps. Dun Skipper does not have the white “bracelet”. Dusted and Pepper and Salt have only one brood in spring. Therefore, any tiny, dark skipper seen in late July and early August is probably a Common Roadside.

NJ Status and Distribution: Resident. Rare and very local throughout.

Habitat: Open, dry, often disturbed, areas. Recently reported only from the Kittatinny ridgetops.

Flight Period: Two broods, with the second brood smaller. North Jersey: Mid-May to mid-June, and late July to mid-August. Extreme dates (small sample size): North Jersey 5/17—8/1; South Jersey 5/11—5/27 (7 records, not reported from South Jersey since 2010).

Caterpillar Food Plants: Many upland grasses.

Overwintering Stage: Pupa, possibly caterpillar.

Good Locations: Appalachian Trail near Raccoon Ridge (aka, Mt. Mohican), Warren County.

Comments: Common Roadside-Skipper is anything but common, as most sightings are of 1-3 individuals. Has not been reported from any North Jersey location off the Kittatinny Ridge since 2007. This butterfly is so small and dark that it can be mistaken for a large fly or small beetle.