Alabama Butterfly Atlas

Northern and Southern Broken-Dashes have caused taxonomic controversies for decades.  Originally defined as two species, they were lumped together in the late 1800's, sometimes considered a single variable species, at other times, as subspecies.  By the 1950's, enough evidence had accumulated to define them once again as two similar but separate species.  Northern Broken-Dashes are slightly smaller, not as bright, and their fore and hindwing fringe color is uniform (Southern's are different colors).  For specific information about how to identify Northern Broken-Dashes, click the "Get Identification Help" link above.

Northern Broken-Dashes are meadow skippers, usually found in open, sunny sites.  Males perch on low vegetation to wait for potential mates. Females deposit their smooth white eggs on grass blades.  Caterpillars initially roll small portions of the blades and attach them to form small tubular shelters.  As initial structures are outgrown, the larvae cut leaves so that dangling shelters are attached to portions of the blade. Finally, these shelters are freed from the plant and lie on the ground.  In a remarkable adaption, the caterpillar drags its shelter from one likely eating spot to another, seldom actually leaving its pocket-shaped shelter. The caterpillar achieves these relocations by grasping the shelter with its hind end and reaching out with the upper half of its body. It then pulls its hind end forward, inching the shelter along until it reaches a suitable eating spot. It cuts grass blades and pulls them into the shelter to consume them. Little time is spent out of the shelter. Chrysalides are formed within one of these shelters, which is silked in place.  Larvae from the year's final brood overwinter within a shelter, completing development in the spring.

By summer's end, Northern Broken-Dashes range across the eastern United States.  In Alabama, they range across the state and are probably more common that sightings records indicate.