Hoary Edge
Female - June 2021
The Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades) is a Spread-Wing Skipper that is mostly brown above with patches of gold spots in the center of the forewings and checkered ivory and brown fringe along the wing edges. The underside has a gorgeous snowy-white border on the hindwing and a very distinct dark blue speckled area of scales near the base of the hindwing. The gold spots show through.
May 2026
From above this species can look very similar to Silver-Spotted Skipper but the wings are much broader as compared with the more slender forewings of Silver-Spotted. The gold spotting covers more of the wing on Hoary Edge as well. Silver-Spotted Skipper also has a white stripe at the center of the underside hindwing, where Hoary Edge has the white on the outer portion.
May 2026
I have observed this species mostly in rocky habitat at higher elevations, though I have found some in open meadows near forested areas. They only show up in northern New Jersey.
June 2021
I’ve noticed these skippers have a much softer flight style than Silver-Spotted Skipper which can whip by super-fast. Hoary Edges tend to have a bouncier flight and they are more likely to land on the ground.
June 2021
I really love this pic of a Hoary Edge perched on a leaf. I had to aim through the meadow leaves and grasses to just barely get the eye in focus and it made for a cool effect.
June 2021
From this angle the Hoary Edge reminds me of a bat, as its wings have a slight downward bend and very dark color. The individual here was hanging upside-down and feeding on the bell-like pink Spreading Dogbane flowers.
June 2021
Quite often I’ve found Hoary Edges basking on rocks after leaving their flower patches. They seem to only partially open their wings most of the time to catch the sun’s rays.
June 2021
Here’s another Hoary Edge perched right in the middle of the trail. I always try to walk past without disturbing them but sometimes there is no room to edge around!!
June 2025
This individual flew in and perched on this rock on top of a mountain at the highest point in NJ in Sussex County. It was really cool to find them in such a stunning location.
