General Description

Superficially similar to the other checkered skippers, but communis can immediately be separated by its large white markings (more white than black), and the paler, chalky underside. This skipper and the Small Checkered Skipper (P. scriptura) are the only Pyrgus skippers likely to be encountered in the prairie grasslands. These two can easily be separated by the broader white markings and larger size of P. communis (wingspan 25- 30 mm).