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Santa Barbara Field Guides – Butterflies Lepidoptera Hesperiidae Heliopetes ericetorum Northern White Skipper |
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Size:
Wingspread 1-1.5 in. Recognition: Male upperside white with brown arrowheads along wing margins; female is dark with irregular white band down both wings; undersides of both sexes light with tan markings and white wing fringes. Flight period: Adults are active from April to October. Hostplants: Larvae eat a variety of mallows (Malvaceae), such as bushmallow (Malacothamnus), globemallow (Sphaeralcea), hollycock (Althaea), and mallow (Malva). Habitat: The Northern White Skipper may be seen in drier habitats, such as chaparral and dry washes. Distribution: Found throughout most of California, extending east and north into the Great Basin. Other: These speedy fliers are also avid flower visitors, and males will patrol canyons for mates. 
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