Golden-banded Skipper
Autochton cellus

Golden-banded Skipper is a charismatic butterfly that is rare and local statewide. The type locality is Screven County, but most recent records have come from North Georgia. The habitat is shaded mesic deciduous woods or bottoms where the hostplant, thicket bean (Phaseolus polystachios) and poison ivy (!) grow. The hostplant was long thought to be hog peanut (Amphicarpa bracteata) until a 2015 study by Boscoe et al. concluded that thicket bean is the sole host plant and that the species rejects hog peanut altogether. The species has been documented ovipositing on thicket bean in Georgia (Howard). It is noteworthy that there are many apparently suitable locations for the species, but few colonies have been found. Golden-banded Skippers seem to like shady paths with sunny spots where nectar sources like rosinweed (Silphium asteriscus) grow. A recent record from Middle Georgia in an area with thicket bean (April 10, 2020, Houston County, Phil Delestrez) is most encouraging and demonstrates that the species is likely more widespread than past records indicate. There are two broods: the spring brood flies from April into May, beginning around April 10 along the Florida line (Grady County) around April 18 in the Ridge and Valley (April 18, Bartow County) and a week later farther north, flying into late May or early June; the summer brood flies from mid-July into early August, roughly July 15 to August 15. Adults are seen mostly from noon to about 4 PM (spring) and 5 PM (summer) when they bask as the light in their shaded habitat fades. Early Date: April 10 (Grady County); Late Date: September 7 (Grady County). Conservation Status: Precarious. Colonies should be protected.