Despite the name, this tiny butterfly is close to the least common of the roadside-skippers in North Carolina (the similar Dusky Roadside Skipper probably takes that honor).

When fresh, Common Roadside-Skipper is a dapper black-brown with a white triangle on the leading edge of the forewing and frosting towards the rear of both fore- and hindwings. The pattern is reminiscent of that of the much larger Dusted Skipper. However, with a couple of weeks of wear, Common Roadside-Skippers are a drab mottled dark brown with just the white triangle left.

This worn individual is likely a male, since it was hilltopping.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.

Same individual.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.

An even more worn individual.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.