Wing span: 2.3-2.5 cm.

Flight time: Double brooded, with adults flying from the end of May to mid June, and from mid July to early August. Rarely a partial third brood will occur in early September.

Status: Infrequent to rare breeding resident.

Distinguishing features: This small dark brown skipper has scalloped wing edges in fresh specimens. The forewing below appears to have a checkered fringe. Unlike Pholisora cattulus, S. hayhurstii rests with wings outspread against the surface of the substrate, which is reminiscent of some moths and metalmarks. It is also a lighter brown as compared to P. catullus.

Distribution and habitat: The Scalloped Sooty Wing appears limited to the southern half of the state. It is most often encountered in sandy flood plain forests of River Birch (Betula nigra). However, it has also been encountered Loess Hills forest and wooded groves adjacent to sand prairies.

Natural History: Most of the recent sightings of this species are based upon single individuals. Although its larvae have been reported to eat various members of the Goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae), including Lambs-quarters (Chenopodium album), the actual host plants in Iowa remain undocumented. Its scattered occurrences and relatively high level of habitat fidelity suggests that it consumes a related species, which is less ubiquitous in the modern landscape.