# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 19 - **Habitat:** Meadows and open woods ![Horace's Duskywing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Erynnis_horatius_male.jpg&width=800) Photo: Greg Hume, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erynnis_horatius_male.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Erynnis ## 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 - **Rapid Dart Dash:** Horace's Duskywing can fly with incredibly fast, darting movements because its powerful flight muscles help it escape predators. - **Leaf-Roll Hideout:** Horace's Duskywing caterpillars can create a secure shelter by rolling up leaves, which helps them hide from hungry birds. - **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 - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-bluebird) (*Sialia sialis*) — Bluebirds eat adult butterflies. - **Eaten by:** Six-spotted Orbweaver (*Araniella displicata*) — Spiders can catch adults in webs. - **Pollinates:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar. - **Eats:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## 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? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alfred-b-maclay-gardens-state-park) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Charlestown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlestown-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Columbia Historic District I](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-historic-district-i) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Elk Neck State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elk-neck-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Fairlie-Poplar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairlie-poplar) — Georgia, US · Neighborhood - [Fort Tryon Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-tryon-park) — New York, US · Park [View all places to see Horace's Duskywing](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/horaces-duskywing) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Horace's Duskywing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/horaces-duskywing)