Sachem or Skipper Butterfly
Scientific Name: Atalopedes campestris
Order & Family: Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Hesperiidae
Size: Wingspan typically ranges from 1.3 to 1.6 inches (3.4 to 4.2 cm).
Natural Habitat
Disturbed areas, lawns, gardens, roadsides, and meadows.
Diet & Feeding
Adults feed on flower nectar (like the clover shown); larvae feed on various grasses including Bermuda grass and crabgrass.
Behavior Patterns
They exhibit a characteristic 'skipping' flight pattern. Males often perch on low foliage to wait for females. They are active during the day from spring through fall.
Risks & Benefits
They pose no risk to humans. They are beneficial pollinators for many flowering plants and are a natural part of the grassland ecosystem.
Identified on: 6/5/2026