Garita Skipperling (Oarisma garita [Reakirt])
Wing span: 3/4 - 1 3/16 inches (1.9 - 3 cm).
Identification: Upperside ranges from orange to black. Underside of forewing is orange; hindwing is light brown with orange on the inner edge.
Life history: Adults are weak fliers. To find receptive females, males patrol all day in grassy areas. Females lay eggs singly on grass stems or blades. Fourth-stage caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: One brood from June-July.
Caterpillar hosts: Various grasses including bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Short-grass prairie knolls, swales, limestone openings, open woodland, mountain meadows.
Range: High plains from central Alberta east to southern Manitoba, south through the Rocky Mountain region to northern Mexico. Strays east to central Ontario.
