Orange Skipperling

Copaeodes aurantiacus

This little butterfly was photographed in Rackensack Canyon north of Carefree, Arizona in April 2009.

A very common, fiery orange skipper with barely 25 mm wingspan. Normally they alight with wings partly folded over their back. They land frequently on the soil or on flowers.

In the Sonoran Desert they frequently inhabit riparian zones and canyons where there are grasses growing along the terraces. They can be found pretty much throughout the year. The caterpillar feeds on grasses and has been reared on Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon).

More Information:

• Bugguide - Univ. of Iowa
• Butterflies of North American
• Google Images
• Google Scholar Literature Search
• Book Reference: Butterflies of Southestern Arizona by Richard Bailowitz & Jim Brock available at Sonoran Arthropod Studies.