Common checkered-skipper
The common checkered-skipper looks so much like the white checkered-skipper that the two species can only be told apart by examining their genitalia.
| Where | Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground |
|---|---|
| Size | 19 to 32 mm wingspan |
| When | April to November |
Common checkered-skippers show a dark and white checkered pattern above, with males carrying bluish white hairs across the wing bases and females appearing darker overall. Below, pale tan and white bands cross the wings between darker borders.
Caterpillars feed only on mallow plants, folding a leaf around themselves with silk for shelter while they grow. Adults bask with wings spread on open, sunny ground and visit low flowers such as fleabane and clover for nectar.
Traits
Habitat
Farmland
Colour
Brown, White, Grey
Active
Day
To people
Feeds at flowers in open, sunny areas; harmless to people.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Nearly identical in size and pattern; the two are reliably separated only by examining genital structure, not by size or color.
Questions
Is the Common checkered-skipper dangerous to people?
Feeds at flowers in open, sunny areas; harmless to people.
When can you see the Common checkered-skipper?
The Common checkered-skipper can be seen from April to November, by day.
Plate retouched from a photo by aberkov, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist Licence
Report a mistake in this entry
Butterflies and moths›Skippers›Burnsius
Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.