Sachem
Female - August 2018
The Sachem (Atalopedes campestris) is likely our most common grass skipper in New Jersey. They can occur all the way from May through December!! This species is highly variable and males can range from orange with black markings, to almost gold and unmarked. Females can also have an orange look with darker markings, or be almost brown/tan with white markings. I always find the ‘bracelet’ of 3 dashes on the forewing helpful in identifying these skippers. If you see an orangey grass skipper with markings on the ventral hindwing and this ‘bracelet’ it is probably a Sachem.
Male - September 2017
Sachems can be found on so many different flowers and in so many varying locations. This male was out in an open meadow on the high-growing Late Boneset blooms. I’ve seen them along path edges on dandelions, in gardens using non-native species of all kinds, guarding territory by perching on leaves of bushes, near the ocean, and even chasing high up into the sky.
Female - October 2022
This awesome female was using a giant Marigold bloom for nectar. She has very dark tan-brown wings and almost white markings across the middle of the ventral side hindwing.
Male - July 2026
Female - July 2017
Male Gold Form - July 2020
Male - September 2018
