Checkered Skipper

Common Checkered-skipper Pyrgus communis # 3966 is a spread-wing skipper.  When it sits its wings are spread open and it is difficult to see the underside of the wing which can make identification difficult.   This little Common Checkered-skipper  is common across North America in almost all habitats.  The female has a little more black than the male.  The male has sparse blue hair on the top side of its body which can be seen in this photo.  The host plants are mallows and sidas.  In the teaching garden it visited most of the flowers there.