Species › Insects & Arthropods › Northern White-Skipper

Northern White-Skipper

Heliopetes ericetorum

UncommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Northern White-Skipper (Heliopetes ericetorum)

The Northern White-Skipper is a striking medium-sized skipper with white wings strongly checkered with black — one of the most easily recognized western skippers. It inhabits chaparral and scrubland where its mallow host plants grow. Adults fly fast and visit flowers energetically. Males perch in valley bottoms and on hilltops to intercept females.

Habitat
Chaparral, desert scrub, and hillside shrublands of the West
Diet
Larvae: mallow plants. Adults: nectar
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Northern White-Skipper

The best time to see a Northern White-Skipper is May–August, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,255 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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