Alabama Butterfly Atlas

This small, dark skipper is easy to overlook as it flies along the ground. It is also easy to confuse with the more common Pepper and Salt Skipper that may share the same habitat. Bell's typically occurs only in isolated populations, although suitable habitat seems to be prevalent. It is found near woodland streams or woodland edges in rich, deciduous forests that support River Oats, a common woodland grass found throughout Alabama.  

Bell's are typical roadside-skippers. Like most of the others, they are multi-brooded: in our area; there are probably three flights. Males perch in sunny openings to find females.  They take moisture and minerals from damp earth.  Both sexes nectar from small flowers. Eggs are laid singly on grass leaves, and caterpillars make aerial nests by rolling leaf blades into tubes.  At maturity, the caterpillar silks itself into the tube, clips it from the plant, attaches it to a secure location on the ground. Using tooth-like structures near its mouth, the caterpillar pulls itself and the leaf tube to a satisfactory location and lightly silks the leaf in place. It pupates, head up, within the shelter. Fully mature caterpillars overwinter within the shelter, pupating and emerging the following spring. 

This skipper was once known as Bell's Roadside Rambler.  Until 1990, it was lumped with Celia's Roadside-Skipper, which primarily occurs in Texas.  Because of differences in genitalia and distribution, Bell's Roadside-Skipper attained full species status. It ranges in disjunct populations across the south central and southeastern U.S. In Alabama, it is rare, with fewer than ten individuals sighted.