Golden Banded-Skipper - Alabama Butterfly Atlas

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Golden Banded-Skippers have long been considered uncommon throughout their range, but the reason for their scarcity was baffling. For 80+ years, based on a report from early research, their sole caterpillar host plant was thought to be Hog Peanut (Amphicarpa bracteata), a common vine that often carpets moist woodland floors. It was puzzling that habitat and host plant were abundant, yet the butterfly was usually absent. We now know that the original plant ID was incorrect—the host plant was Thicket Bean (Phaseolus polystachios), a vine that sometimes grows in the company of Hog Peanut, but not always. For almost a century, the incorrect name has been passed from field guide to field guide. Finally in 2015 the true identity of the host plant was discovered, and Thicket Bean is now considered the primary (possibly sole) caterpillar host for Golden Banded-Skippers in the southeastern U.S.

Thicket Bean inhabits open areas, often on or near slopes with woodlands nearby, and these are the habitats where Golden Banded-Skippers are typically found. Flight is rapid, and adults visit a variety of woodland flowers for nectar. Males perch on low vegetation to wait for females. They also sip minerals from damp soil. Females generally lay short strings of eggs on the undersides of Thicket Bean leaves. These eggs are stacked at angles rather than centered directly on top of each other. When caterpillars hatch, they quickly cut flaps into the leaf edge, then fold and fasten them to construct a pointed-topped shelter. These peaked shelters, as well as the off-center egg placement, are distinctive. In Alabama, Golden Banded-Skippers have two, possibly three broods.

Golden Banded-Skippers and Thicket Bean are spread throughout the state, but how common they are is unknown. Some research indicates that Thicket Bean occurrences may be declining due to habitat loss as well as weevil infestations. If this is true, GB-S populations will also be impacted. Golden Banded-Skippers should be searched for wherever Thicket Bean occurs, and careful tabs should be kept on both.

If you know where Thicket Bean occurs, contact al.butterflyatlas@gmail.com.

Distribution and Abundance

A dot on the county map indicates that there is at least one documented record of the species within that county. In some cases, a species may be common throughout the county, in others it may be found in only a specific habitat. The High Count information shows the highest numbers recorded for this species as well as when and where they occurred.

The sightings bar graphs depict the timing of flight(s) within each of three geographic regions. Place your cursor on a bar within the graph to see the number of individuals recorded during that period.

The abundance calendar displays the total number of individuals recorded within each week of the month. Both the graphs and the calendar are on based data collection that began in 2000.

The records analyzed here are only a beginning. As more data is collected, these maps and graphs will paint a more accurate picture of distribution and abundance in Alabama. Submit your sightings to albutterflyatlas@gmail.com.

Sightings in the following counties: Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Crenshaw, DeKalb, Jackson, Wilcox

Sightings in the past 5 years
Sightings in the past 5 - 10 years
Sightings more than 10 years ago

High count(s):

6 - Bibb - 5/16/2020
6 - Bibb - 5/6/2022
5 - Wilcox - 8/23/2018

View county names by moving the mouse over a county or view a map with county names

Jan				Feb				Mar				Apr				May				Jun				Jul				Aug				Sep				Oct				Nov				Dec
1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4
															1	13	13	6	5	4	1	1		4	3		5	1			6

Habitat

Open areas that support Thicket Bean. Often near slopes, with woodlands nearby. Most often seen along dirt roads that run through ravines and well-shaded hillsides.

Golden Banded-Skipper (*Telegonus cellus*)

County

© Paulette Haywood Ogard

Tangle of Thicket Bean on woodland slope

Host and Nectar Plants

Due to a decades old plant misidentification, the southeastern population of Golden Banded-Skippers was thought to feed exclusively on Hog Peanut (Amphicarpa bracteata). However, Thicket Bean (Phaseolus polystachios var. polystachios) has now been correctly identified as the host plant.

Thicket Bean/Wild Kidney Bean (Phaseolus polystachios) has been documented as the host plant in Alabama.

If you know where Thicket Bean occurs, contact al.butterflyatlas@gmail.com.

Thicket Bean (Phaseolus polystachios) - Host Plant

For more information about these plants, please visit the Alabama Plant Atlas using the links above.

Landscaping Ideas

Thicket Bean is a lovely addition to a trellis or arbor. It is a perennial cousin of the lima bean and grows in a similar fashion. In addition to Golden-Banded Skippers, Long-tailed Skippers, Silver-spotted Skippers, and Gray Hairstreaks use it as their caterpillar host. It is available through some mail-order native plant nurseries or can be easily grown from seed.