Wing span: 2.7-3.2 cm.

Flight time: The first adults will migrate from the south in early April through May. The bulk of flight occurs from the end of June to the first of October, although individuals have been encountered as late as early November.

Status: Common, non-overwintering, resident.

Distinguishing features: As its name implies this skipper is heavily white-checkered on a gray background. Specimens vary from quite dark to light in overall appearance. The hindwing below has 3 jagged transverse bands.

Distribution and habitat: Found throughout the state in a wide variety of native and altered habitats. It is frequently encountered in sunny areas with low vegetation such as farm lots, heavily grazed pastures, and roadsides.

Natural History: Larvae have been reported to feed on a number of weedy species in the Mallow family (Malvaceae). The Checkered Skipper can be common in some years and infrequent in others. The male with the unexpanded left hindwing in Figure 106 was taken in copula in Osceola County. Little is known about its courtship behavior, but this collection indicates that male flight activity does not play a critical role in female mate choice, and that females may play an important role in moving genes.