The Butterflies of the World Foundation

A Non-Profit Organization

Common Roadside-Skipper

Amblyscirtes vialis, W. H. Edwards, 1862

Subfamily Hesperiinae

Tribe Moncini

Taxonomy

The family Hesperiidae includes all butterflies that are collectively called skippers because of their fast skipping flight.  This family is the sole member of the Superfamily Hesperioidea.  Whereas, the other five families of butterflies belong to the Superfamily Papilionoidea.  So, skippers are considered butterflies, but they have a few traits different than the species of “True” butterflies found in the Superfamily Papilionoidea.  Some of these traits include large eyes, short antennae (often with hooked clubs) and stout bodies.  Most also have a very rapid flight with a fast, almost blurred, wing beat.  There are about 3,500 species of skippers and they’re further divided into seven subfamilies.  They occur worldwide with more found in the tropics. Most species are brown or tan, but some tropical members can be quite colorful.

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Amblyscirtes vialis, near Cherry Creek, Little Missouri National Grassland, McKenzie County, North Dakota, 11 June 2005                                                   Ref #:  I-305-6

Amblyscirtes vialis, Denbigh Experimental Forest, McHenry County, North Dakota, 11 June 2003                                                                                            Ref #:  I-167-9

Amblyscirtes vialis, one half mile south of Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 25 April 2006                                                   Ref #:  I-344-11.5

Amblyscirtes vialis, Denbigh Experimental Forest, McHenry County, North Dakota, 11 June 2003                                                                                           Ref #:  I-167-12

Amblyscirtes vialis, one half mile south of Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 11 April 2006                                                        Ref #:  I-340-2

Amblyscirtes vialis, one half mile south of Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 25 April 2006                                                   Ref #:  I-344-14-3

Amblyscirtes vialis, near Cherry Creek, Little Missouri National Grassland, McKenzie County, North Dakota, 11 June 2005                                                Ref #:  I-305-4.1

Amblyscirtes vialis, one half mile south of Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 11 April 2006                                                    Ref #:  I-339-15.2

General Information:

Amblyscirtes vialis belongs to the subfamily Hesperiinae.  This species is found in much of North America.  Its preferred habitat includes open areas in or near woodland, often close to streams.

Lifecycle:

The larval food source includes several species of grasses.  To await receptive females, males perch on the ground or low plants in forest openings or edges, waving their antennae in small circles.  Females deposit eggs singly on the host plants. Caterpillars eat leaves, and make shelters of rolled and tied leaves.  Caterpillars hibernate.

Amblyscirtes vialis, Denbigh Experimental Forest, McHenry County, North Dakota, 11 June 2003                                                                                        Ref #:  I-167-11.2

Amblyscirtes vialis, one half mile south of Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 11 April 2006                                                       Ref #:  I-340-17

Amblyscirtes vialis, McGee Creek Wildlife Management Area, Atoka County, Oklahoma, 6 April 2012                                                                                     Ref #:  I-501-8

Amblyscirtes vialis, McGee Creek Wildlife Management Area, Atoka County, Oklahoma, 6 April 2012                                                                                     Ref #:  I-501-3

Amblyscirtes vialis, McGee Creek Wildlife Management Area, Atoka County, Oklahoma, 6 April 2012                                                                                   Ref #:  I-501-6.3

Amblyscirtes vialis, McGee Creek Wildlife Management Area, Atoka County, Oklahoma, 6 April 2012                                                                                     Ref #:  I-501-7