Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon)

In NC, uncommon but probably widespread in Mountains, and uncommon to rare in Piedmont. This skipper apparently has 2 broods in the Mountains, one in Spring and one in early Summer. However, in the Piedmont, the summer brood is lacking, and Harry LeGrand has long suggested that they might be different species. In 2023 following up on research by Andy Warren and the late Ron Gatrelle, Harry Pavulaan, Ricky Patterson, and Nick Grishin published a paper splitting Pepper and Salt Skipper into 4 species. Unfortunately, they did not suggest common names for the new taxa, contributing to some continued confusion. Much more research is needed to elucidate ranges and taxa delineations for this interesting group of roadside-skippers, which are usually found on dirt/mud along sunny trails in rich woodlands, often at stream crossings.

Link to Pavulaan, Patterson, and Grishin paper

Below I have attempted to arrange these individuals by distribution, starting with the southern NC Mountains counties (Clay), then working north in the NC Mountains (Haywood, Madison, Buncombe, Mitchell) and then east to the NC Piedmont (Orange, Durham).

Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon)
Clay Co., NC
21 May 2005


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Clay Co., NC 21 May 2005	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Clay Co., NC 21 May 2005


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Clay Co., NC 13 May 2006	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Clay Co., NC 13 May 2006


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Clay Co., NC 18 May 2025	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Clay Co., NC 18 May 2025

Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon)
Clay Co., NC
18 May 2025


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Clay Co., NC 17 May 2025	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Clay Co., NC 17 May 2025

Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon)
Clay Co., NC
18 May 2025


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Clay Co., NC 17 May 2025	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Clay Co., NC 13 May 2006


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Haywood Co., NC 15 Apr 2006	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Haywood Co., NC 13 May 2005


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Madison Co., NC 9 Apr 2012	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Madison Co., NC 9 Apr 2012

Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon)
Buncombe Co., NC
26 June 2004


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Buncombe Co., NC 26 June 2004	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Buncombe Co., NC 26 June 2004

Harry Pavulaan has suggested this Mitchell County population below may be Amblyscirtes nemoris, but genomic analysis is needed. (Some of the individuals above may also be A. nemoris). If so, Harry LeGrand has suggested a common name of Forest Roadside-Skipper, based on the fact that this taxon seems to be found in more heavily forested habitats and "nemoris" means "of a grove" or "forest."

Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon)
Mitchell Co., NC
24 June 2026


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026	Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026


Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon) Mitchell Co., NC 24 June 2026

Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon)
Hill Forest, Orange Co., NC
16 May 2004

Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon)
Hill Forest, Durham Co., NC
1 May 05

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Created on ... May 17, 2004 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com