Common Name: Northern Cloudy-Wing
A generally uncommon skipper of
canyon-riparian
and mesic habitats, from the foothills to 5000'. It sits with the wings only
partly open, unlike most of its relatives. A strong flier but regularly seen at
flowers, including Dogbane, Yerba Santa, Brodieas, California Buckeye, and
Vetches; not much of a puddler. One brood
in late spring (mid March-July, depending on altitude). Host plants: Fabaceae,
especially the robust perennial
Lotus crassifolius; native Lathyrus; Psoralea; possibly on
Astragalus, but not recorded in our area. This species
was briefly eradicated from Gates Canyon by a fire in its only known breeding
locality there, but recolonized from nearby.