Common NameGarita SkipperlingSeasonalityPeak flight activity is in late June to early July.IdentificationThis small skipper (wingspan 19 - 25 mm) is most likely to be confused with the European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola). Garita has a greenish hindwing underside with pale-coloured venation, while the European Skipper has an orange-brown hindwing underside without marked veins. The upperside is tawny brown, compared to bright orange-brown with dark veins in lineola.
Scientific NameOarisma garitaCommon Name
Garita Skipperling
Habitat
Parkland and prairie grasslands, particularly native fescue and mixed grass prairie.
Seasonality
Peak flight activity is in late June to early July.
Identification
This small skipper (wingspan 19 - 25 mm) is most likely to be confused with the European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola). Garita has a greenish hindwing underside with pale-coloured venation, while the European Skipper…
This small skipper (wingspan 19 - 25 mm) is most likely to be confused with the European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola). Garita has a greenish hindwing underside with pale-coloured venation, while the European Skipper has an orange-brown hindwing underside without marked veins. The upperside is tawny brown, compared to bright orange-brown with dark veins in lineola.
Life History
The egg has been variously reported as being green (Bird et al. 1995) or creamy white (Gibson 1910); larvae are green with pale lines and bands, with short black bristles on the head and body (Gibson 1910, Bird et al.…
The egg has been variously reported as being green (Bird et al. 1995) or creamy white (Gibson 1910); larvae are green with pale lines and bands, with short black bristles on the head and body (Gibson 1910, Bird et al. 1995); the overwintering stage is either as a partially grown (Bird et al. 1995) or mature larva (Gibson 1910, Scott 1986). There is one generation annually.
Conservation
No conservation concerns.
Diet Info
The larval host plant has not been recorded in Canada; Larvae will eat Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) in captivity (Gibson 1910). Adults take nectar at flowers of legumes (Hooper 1973), and at Polygala alba,…
The larval host plant has not been recorded in Canada; Larvae will eat Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) in captivity (Gibson 1910). Adults take nectar at flowers of legumes (Hooper 1973), and at Polygala alba, Potentilla fruticosa, and Oxytropis lambertii in North Dakota (McCabe & Post 1977).
Range
Alberta east to Manitoba and south to Texas (Opler 1999). There is a disjunct population in the Peace River parkland.
Citation
Page Citation for Oarisma garita
Page Citation
"Species Details - Oarisma garita, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2590. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
References
AuthorOpler, Paul A.
TitleA field guide to western butterflies.
Publication Date1999
Pages540
AuthorBird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
TitleAlberta Butterflies
Publication Date1995
Pages349
AuthorGibson, A.
TitleNotes on the larva of Thymelicus garita Reakirt.
Publication Date1910
Series TitleThe Canadian Entomologist
Volume42
Pages145-147
AuthorMcCabe, T.L. and R.L. Post.
TitleSkippers (Hesperioidea) of North Dakota.
Publication Date1977
Pages70 pp.
AuthorLayberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
TitleThe Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date1998
Pages280
AuthorScott, J. A.
TitleThe Butterflies of North America : a natural history and field guide
Publication Date1986
Pages583 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 37 specimens of this Species.
37 results plotted on map in 25 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.