Peck's are distinctive tiny skippers that are fairly common in the mountains of North Carolina. The female (right) has just taken off from the ironweed (Vernonia) flower, escaping the advances of the male (left).

Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.

Same male as above. Note the black line (stigma), which identifies this as a male.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.

Female

Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.

The tiny size and bright pattern make it fairly easy to recognize, but Peck's could be confused with the larger and even brighter male Zabulon Skipper, which is common in the same areas Peck's is found.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/1/06.

This beauty was hanging underneath a milkweed flower along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Carroll Co., VA 6/30/2002.

This one is fully enjoying a Lathyrus flower.

Grayson Co., VA 6/18/06.

Fresh, unusually richly colored female. They're not rare, but you never see very many of them at once.

Galax, VA 6/14/03.

Worn female. Alleghany Co., NC 9/4/04.

Male. Alleghany Co., NC 6/18/06.

Male. Grayson Co., VA 6/18/06.