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Edwards, 1863

Wingspan: 1 1/4 - 1 3/8". A rather plain, medium-sized skipper with elongated forewings. Known previously as "long-winged skipper," this uniformly tan to yellowish-brown species is best recognized by the length of the rather pointed forewings that extent noticeably beyond the trailing edges of the hindwings in the closed wing position. Note also several glassy marks on the upper surface of the forewing, the largest being similar in shape to an arrowhead. Less obvious is the contrasting darker outer third of the hindwing below.

Resident of the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida and northward to eastern South Carolina. Known for its mass emigrations, this species has been reported northward from the southern Great Lakes region to southern New England.

Vagrant. One historical record from Milton 8 September 1912, H.H. Newcomb (Farquhar, 1934) and 28 September 1994, Wellesley (Norfolk Co.), R. Forster. The only other records for New England are 2 collected in Providence, Rhode Island on 8 and 17 September also in 1912. Recently this skipper has shown up along the southern New Jersey coast and northward to the New York City area. Because of its predilection to wander, this vagrant is to be looked for in September and October.

Flies year-round in Florida with more restricted flight periods to the north. Normally occurs northward along the mid-Atlantic region to New York in late summer and early fall.

Grasses, including cultivated rice in Louisiana and sugar cane and Hymenachne amplexicaule in the West Indies (Howe, 1975).

These butterflies visit a variety of nectar sources including lantana, shepherd‘s needle, milkweeds, and sedum. The 1994 specimen  was on Aster sp.

Visits a variety of open, often disturbed areas including wasteplaces, fields, urban lots, and flower gardens.

Information for this species in Massachusetts is currently unavailable.

Read more on this species at the North American Butterfly Association.