One of the rarest butterflies in North Carolina, this species was rediscovered in the state for the first time in many years on 4/11/2005 in Ashe Co. by Ted Wilcox. See also Ted's Appalachian Grizzled Skipper photos. A search of suitable habitat by Harry LeGrand and me in adjoining Alleghany Co. turned up this individual.

Alleghany Co., NC 4/17/05.

Similar to Common Checkered-Skipper, Grizzled Skipper lacks the band of white spots on the outer edges of the wings.

Alleghany Co., NC 4/17/05.

The host plant, Dwarf Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis), is abundant in the area where we found the butterfly, though it's also abundant in areas that lack Grizzled Skippers. Note the leaves of the cinquefoil in the photos above.

Alleghany Co., NC 4/17/05.