Description: 13-15 mm. Wing coloration is unmistakable with black banding on a white background. Females are slightly darker in shade. A similar species is the Common Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis), which is common on the Florida mainland but has not been reported from the Keys thus there should not be a challenge in identifying this butterfly. Both the larva and pupa are very hairy! Both hide themselves in a "tent" made of leaves of the host plant.

 

Habitat and Distribution: This butterfly is common throughout the Keys in various disturbed habitats such as weedy fields and roadsides where its host plant grows abundantly.

 

Host Plant: Sida acuta, Sida rhombifolia and Malvastrum corchorifolium

 

Natural History: This species is widespread and common in Florida and throughout the Keys. They feed frequently on flowers and fly low to the ground