Common Checkered Skipper

Description:

Upperside of male is blue-gray; female is black. Both sexes have large white spots which form median bands across both wings. Fringes of male checkered but black checks often reach only halfway to edge of fringe. Male has a costal fold enclosing scent scales on the upperside of the forewing. Underside is dull white with dark gray or olive bands. Spots of the hindwing marginal row are very small; spots of the submarginal row are larger. This species is separated from the white checkered skipper with confidence only by dissection and examination of the male genitalia. Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/2 inches (2.5 - 3.8 cm).

Habitat:

Arid area around Tombstone Arizona.

Notes:

On Mexican Sunflower