# Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper (*pyrgus ruralis*) The Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper is a small butterfly that flits around grassy fields. Its black and white checkered wings make it look like a tiny flying puzzle piece! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Grassy fields and open meadows - **Also known as:** Checkered Skipper, Pyrgus Butterfly, Two-Banded Skipper ![Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pyrgus_ruralis_1374792.jpg&width=800) Photo: Terry Spivey, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0 us · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pyrgus_ruralis_1374792.jpg) ## Appearance The Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper has dark brown to black wings with distinct white spots on the forewings. Its hindwing undersides feature two prominent white bands, giving it a checkered look. A checkered fringe edges its wings, visually differentiating it from many other small butterflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Pyrgus ## Interesting facts - Adults can shiver their flight muscles to warm up quickly on a cool morning! - Even though they are small, their flight path is so erratic it's hard to follow! - Its caterpillars are masters of disguise, rolling leaves to hide inside! - Skippers have special hooked antennae, making them look like tiny anglers! ## Special abilities - **Rapid Dodging:** Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper can fly in a quick, erratic pattern that helps them escape from hungry predators. - **Leaf Shelter Builder:** Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper larvae can roll and silk together leaves to create a safe, hidden home. - **Hooked Sensor:** Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper has unique clubbed antennae with a hook that helps them navigate and find food. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink flower nectar for energy, while young caterpillars munch on mallow plant leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat plant leaves, while adults exclusively consume flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, Sidalcea leaves, Malva leaves, Sphaeralcea leaves, wild buckwheat - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Checker Mallow (*Sidalcea malviflora*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this plant. - **Eats:** [Common Mallow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-mallow) (*Malva neglecta*) — Another host plant for the skipper's caterpillars. - **Eaten by:** House Wren (*Troglodytes aedon*) — Adult skippers can be prey for small birds. - **Eaten by:** European Garden Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Adult skippers can get caught in spider webs. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper? 10-15 mm ### How long does Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper live? 14-30 days ### How fast can Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper fly? 15 km/h ### What does Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper eat? Adults drink flower nectar for energy, while young caterpillars munch on mallow plant leaves. ### Where is Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper usually found? Grassy fields and open meadows ### How does Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Pennask Creek Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pennask-creek-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Two-Banded Checkered-Skipper Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/two-banded-checkered-skipper)