Clouded Skipper

Description:

The Clouded Skipper (Lerema accius) is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae family. Wings are dark brown. Upperside of male forewing has a dark black stigma; female forewing has transparent white spots. Underside of hindwing has dark and light patches and a violet-blue sheen. Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.2 - 4.5 cm).

Habitat:

Observed feeding on Carolina Elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) in a forest clearing near a mid-sized creek (Stevens Creek) along the Modoc Trail in McCormick County near Modoc, SC. T/he Modoc Trail is in the Sumter National Forest, Long Cane District.

Notes:

Caterpillar Hosts: Various grasses including St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), wooly beard grass (Erianthus alopecturoides), and Echinochloa povietianum. Adult Food: Various pink, purple, or white flowers including shepherd's needle, selfheal, vervain, buttonbush, and lantana. This spotting is a new BAMONA record for McCormick County, SC.