Duskywings
ExploreInsects
Duskywings
Erynnis
Duskywings are small butterflies with dark, beautiful wings. They love to flutter around in sunny spots, making them a delightful sight in nature!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Duskywings are small, robust butterflies with mottled brown, grey, or black wings, often resembling a moth. Their heads are broad with short, club-tipped antennae that have a distinctive hook. They often blend in perfectly with tree bark or dead leaves.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyHesperiidaeGenusErynnis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Duskywing caterpillars are called 'leaf rollers' because they literally stitch leaves into homes!
Some Duskywing species can have two or even three generations born in a single year!
Their robust bodies and drab colors make them look like moths, but they are true butterflies!
Unlike most butterflies, Duskywings have tiny hooks on their antennae tips!
Special abilities
Ability
Nature's Cloak
Duskywings have drab, mottled wings that help them disappear against bark or dry leaves, making them hard to spot.
Ability
Zap Flight
Duskywings can fly incredibly fast in quick, darting movements to escape predators or move between flowers.
Ability
Leaf-Roll Homebuilder
Duskywing caterpillars can roll up a leaf and silk it into a cozy, protective shelter where they live and eat.
Ability
Nectar Siphon
Duskywings possess a long, coiled proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar deep inside many different flowers.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 25-40 mm
- Size
- 10-20 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Flight Speed
- 20 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars munch on leaves for growth, while adult Duskywings sip sugary flower nectar for energy.
Age differences: Larvae eat specific host plant leaves; adults drink flower nectar.
Primary Foods
- Wild Indigo
- Lupine
- Clover
- Tick-trefoil
- Flower Nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Wild Lupine
Lupinus perennis
Crucial host plant for several Duskywing larvae.
depends on
Blue Wild Indigo
Baptisia australis
A primary food source for many Duskywing caterpillars.
eaten by
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Jays and other birds actively hunt adult Duskywings.
eaten by
Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
Adult Duskywings can sometimes be trapped in their webs.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Duskywings's wingspan?
25-40 mm
How big is Duskywings?
10-20 mm
How long does Duskywings live?
7-14 days
How fast can Duskywings fly?
20 km/h
What does Duskywings eat?
Caterpillars munch on leaves for growth, while adult Duskywings sip sugary flower nectar for energy.
Where is Duskywings usually found?
Grasslands
How does Duskywings hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Duskywings have?
6
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