The tawny-edged skipper has a wingspan of 1 inch (2.5 cm). Its upperside is dark brown with orange markings. The front edge of its forewing is orange. The male has a curved black stigma (patch of scent scales) on his forewing.
The tawny-edged skipper is found in a variety of habitats. In the east, it is found in grassy areas like meadows, pastures, lawns, roadsides, and forest clearings. In other parts of the U.S., it is found in grassy valleys, mountain meadows, and prairies.
The tawny-edged skipper caterpillar eats grasses like slender crabgrass and bluegrass. The adult eats nectar from plants like red clover, dogbane, purple coneflower, thistles, alfalfa, and chicory
The female lays one egg at a time on the leaves of a host plant. The caterpillar is brown and has a black head with white spots and streaks.
The tawny-edged skipper produces 1-2 broods a year.
The male tawny-edged skipper spends a good part of its day perched in grassy areas waiting for females to fly by.
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The tawny-edged skipper is found in New Hampshire.
The tawny-edged skipper is found from southern Canada, south through much of the United States.
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