New Jersey Butterfly Club

Hoary Edge

Achalarus lyciades

Identification: Small—1.65” (a little smaller than Silver-spotted Skipper). Above: FW and HW dark brown, with partial band of rectangular, translucent, golden spots across mid-FW. Unlike Silver-spotted Skipper the golden spots usually surround a small triangle of brown. Below: FW and HW mottled dark brown at the base. Outer portion of FW mottled light brown, and HW with a large, rather diffuse white patch along entire trailing edge. (In contrast, Silver-Spotted has a solid, brilliant white patch across middle of HW.) Translucent golden band on FW is usually visible.

NJ Status and Distribution: Resident. Uncommon and local throughout the northernmost counties, but very rare from Central Jersey south.

Habitat: Dry to moist fields and wood edges. Unlike Silver-spotted, rarely visits gardens.

Flight Period: One brood, flying from late May to late July with a peak from mid-June to early July. Extreme dates: North Jersey 5/22—7/21; South Jersey 6/28—8/3 (2 records, not reported from South Jersey since 2013).

Caterpillar Food Plants: Legumes such as ticktrefoils (Desmodium) and bush-clovers (Lespedeza).

Overwintering Stage: Pupa.

Good Locations: Ramapo Mountain SF, Mountainside Park.

Comments: Much less common than Silver-spotted Skipper and the cloudywings. On a good day an active observer may see up to 5, but on most days none are seen.