Identification Butterflies and Moths of North America, a website by Montana State University. The forewings are long, projecting far beyond the hindwings when the butterfly is at rest. The upper side of the wings is dark brown; forewing has some pale spots. The under side of the hindwing is brown with no markings. Female skipper has a blue-purple iridescent sheen. Flight is rapid and adults may feed while hanging upside down from flowers. Wingspan is 1.3/8 inches. Caterpillar hosts plants are rice, sugar cane, and grass. Adults feed from nectar of lantana, shepherd's needle, swamp milkweed, buttonbush and pickerelweed. Habitat is low damp fields and pastures.