#1 Bell's Roadside-Skipper, male, Bartow Co, 12 Jul 2015.JPG

Bell’s Roadside-Skipper
Amblyscirtes belli

Bell’s Roadside-Skipper was first found in Georgia on May 14, 1941 in Richmond County by H.W. Eustis (Harris, 1972). It has the most restricted range of our roadside-skippers and is uncommon north of the Fall Line. There are no records from the Coastal Plain, but since there are historic records from north Florida, it is possible that it occurs south of the Fall Line. The hostplant is River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolia), which is commonly found along woodland streams. This small, dark roadside-skipper is often seen along dirt roads or trails near the hostplant nectaring on Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) and other plants with small flowers. There are three broods from April to September, with most records in May and July. Early date: May 1 (Jones); Late date: Sep 4 (Hart). Conservation Status: Secure.