Autochton cellus

Description

Autochton cellus, the golden banded-skipper, is a North and Central American butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. There are two populations, one in the eastern United States and the other in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The eastern population is rare and local and uses only one host plant, the thicket bean (Phaseolus polystachios). The southwestern population is uncommon to common and uses more than one host plant.The golden banded-skipper is most active mid-morning and late afternoon. Their flight is sluggish and low to the ground, compared to closely related species. The upperside of the wings are chocolate brown with a golden median band on the forewing. The hindwing has a checkered fringe. The underside of the wings are very similar to the upperside. Its wingspan measures 32 to 44 millimetres (1.25 to 1.75 in).In the east this butterfly prefers moist, steep woodlands while in the southwest, it favors canyon riparian habitat. It appears to be declining in the east where it has lost habitat around Washington, D.C., and around West Virginia.