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Horace's Duskywing

Erynnis horatius

Horace's Duskywing is a small butterfly with dark brown wings and a special love for sunny spots. They flutter around flowers and are fun to watch as they dance in the air.

Habitat: Meadows and open woods

Appearance

The Horace's Duskywing is a medium-sized skipper butterfly with mottled, dark brown-gray wings that often appear dusty. Its forewings typically feature small, clear or white spots, more prominent on females. The hindwing fringe is distinctly checkered brown and white, differentiating it from similar duskywings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyHesperiidaeGenusErynnis
Horace's Duskywing
solitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Horace's Duskywing

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

19

Interesting facts

Horace's Duskywing sometimes perches on the ground with its wings spread flat.

Its name honors the ancient Roman poet, Horace!

This caterpillar can change its color from green to reddish-brown before pupating!

Unlike most butterflies, its antennae have tiny hooks at the very tips.

Special abilities

Ability

Rapid Dart Dash

Horace's Duskywing can fly with incredibly fast, darting movements because its powerful flight muscles help it escape predators.

Ability

Leaf-Roll Hideout

Horace's Duskywing caterpillars can create a secure shelter by rolling up leaves, which helps them hide from hungry birds.

Ability

Overwintering Power Nap

Horace's Duskywing larvae can survive cold winters by entering a dormant state, helping them emerge as adults in spring.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
32-45 mm
Size
15-25 mm
Lifespan
10-30 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adult Horace's Duskywings drink flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on leaves.

Age differences: Larvae eat leaves of host plants, while adults primarily feed on flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Oak leaves
  • Wisteria leaves
  • Lespedeza leaves
  • Clover leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Horace's Duskywing?

The easiest way to identify Horace's Duskywing is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

What is Horace's Duskywing's wingspan?

32-45 mm

How big is Horace's Duskywing?

15-25 mm

How long does Horace's Duskywing live?

10-30 days

How fast can Horace's Duskywing fly?

20 km/h

What does Horace's Duskywing eat?

Adult Horace's Duskywings drink flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on leaves.

Where is Horace's Duskywing usually found?

Meadows and open woods

How does Horace's Duskywing hunt?

Foraging

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