This tiny butterfly is the second most common of our roadside-skippers (after Lace-winged). They're rarely found outside the Coastal Plain of NC. This one is nectaring on Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum).

Croatan National Forest, Craven Co., NC 8/26/2012.

We discovered 5 on the 2003 Wilmington butterfly count - a first for this count and for the county. This one is nectaring on Liatris.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/23/03.

Carolina Roadside is rare in the Piedmont, but may occur in areas with their host plant, cane (Arundinaria spp.), our native bamboo. This one at Raven Rock State Park, near the edge of the Coastal Plain, is nectaring on Poorjoe (Diodia teres), a common native weed that grows on the poorest of soil.

Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05.

A great place to find them in numbers is the northern section of the Croatan National Forest. This one was photographed there on the 2001 Croatan count; on the 2003 count we had an incredible 113 Carolina Roadsides!

Craven Co., NC 8/19/01.

Carolina Roadsides can be confused with female Fiery Skipper; note the striped abdomen. Also compare with Reversed Roadside-Skipper, which the person who named the species thought resembled a Carolina Roadside with a reversed spot pattern on the underside of the hindwing.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/23/03.

Since photos of Carolina Roadside-Skipper are relatively rare, here's a series of photos showing some of the range of variation. This one is on Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum).

Craven Co., NC 9/6/03.

Craven Co., NC 8/29/04.

A pale, lightly-spotted individual. Craven Co., NC 8/29/04.

When heavily worn, the pattern is less obvious. Craven Co., NC 8/29/04.

An extremely worn individual.

Croatan National Forest, Craven Co., NC 8/26/2012.

The dorsal (top) surfaces of the wings are similar to those of other Roadside-Skippers.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/23/03.

Craven Co., NC 8/27/06.