Description

The Garita Skipperling (Oarisma garita) is a small butterfly with orange-brown wings bordered in dark brown, featuring faint markings, typically found in grassy prairies, meadows, and open habitats across western North America.

Range

Known from two counties in Western Minnesota but haven’t been observed in public databases in recent years.

Similar Species

Powashiek Skipperling looks similar but has black on the forewing below where Garita has orange. That and Powashiek’s rarity makes an identification easier.

Host Plants

Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis), Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Prairie Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Various sedge species (Carex spp.)

Flight

June

Additional Resources

Bugguide

iNaturalist

BAMONA