Pyrgus Ruralis - Two-banded Checkered Skipper

Pyrgus Ruralis - Two-banded Checkered Skipper

Image Credit: ALAN SCHMIERER

Identification: Upper side is light-to-blackish brown; forewing has square like white spots; hindwing usually has 2 rows of white spots. Underside is brown or gray with dull spots that are often obscure. Male has a costal fold enclosing scent scales on the forewing.

Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/8 inches (2.5 - 2.9 cm).

Caterpillar Hosts: Herbaceous plants in the rose family (Rosaceae) including Drummond's potentilla (Potentilla drummondii), dusky horkelia (Horkelia fusca), Santa Rosa horkelia (H. tenuiloba), Cleveland's horkelia (H. bolanderi clevelandii), and probably others.

Adult Food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Forest clearings, meadows, pastures, stream sides; from sea level to 10,000 feet. Less common in Portland area.

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Pyrgus-ruralis