# Northern Cloudywing (*Cecropterus pylades*) The Northern Cloudywing is a small butterfly with beautiful brown wings that have light spots. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in sunny areas during the warm months. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Northern Cloudywing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Northern_Cloudywing_%28Thorybes_pylades%29_%289061417837%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Aaron Carlson from Menomonie, WI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Cloudywing_%28Thorybes_pylades%29_%289061417837%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Cloudywing is a small, dark brown butterfly with a stout body and a moth-like appearance. Its forewings feature small, almost clear, glassy spots, and its wings have fringed edges. This gives it a distinct look different from typical brightly colored butterflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Autochton ## Interesting facts - Adults are important pollinators, visiting a wide variety of colorful wildflowers for nectar. - Despite looking like a moth, the Northern Cloudywing is a butterfly because it flies during the day! - Its scientific name, Cecropterus pylades, honors a Greek mythological hero, Pylades! - Unlike many butterflies, its antennae have a tiny hook at the very end, like a fishing pole! ## Special abilities - **Quick Escape Artist:** Northern Cloudywing can fly with incredibly fast, darting movements because of its powerful wing muscles that help it evade predators. - **Nature's Camouflage:** Northern Cloudywing has a mottled dark brown coloration that helps it blend perfectly with tree bark and dried leaves, making it hard to spot. - **Leaf Roller Home Builder:** Northern Cloudywing caterpillars can cleverly roll leaves together using silk because this creates a secure, hidden shelter for them. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume host plant leaves, while adult butterflies feed on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Flower nectar, Clover leaves, Alfalfa leaves, Locust tree leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Blue Jays prey on adult butterflies and caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Adults feed on and pollinate the flowers of red clover. - **Eats:** [Black Locust](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-locust) (*Robinia pseudoacacia*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of black locust trees. - **Eats:** [Alfalfa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alfalfa) (*Medicago sativa*) — Caterpillars also consume the foliage of alfalfa plants. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [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 and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Cloudywing? 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 Northern Cloudywing's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Northern Cloudywing? 15-20 mm ### How long does Northern Cloudywing live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Northern Cloudywing fly? 15 km/h ### What does Northern Cloudywing eat? Adults sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on leaves. ### Where is Northern Cloudywing usually found? Grasslands ### How does Northern Cloudywing 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 - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Calico Rock Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calico-rock-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Piquette Avenue Industrial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/piquette-avenue-industrial-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Rattlesnake Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rattlesnake-springs-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Bromley Rock Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bromley-rock-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Northern Cloudywing](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-cloudywing) ## 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: [Northern Cloudywing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-cloudywing)