# Persius Duskywing (*Erynnis persius*) The Persius Duskywing is a small butterfly with dark wings and a special love for sunny spots. They flutter around flowers and are often seen in meadows and open woods. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Meadows and open woods ![Persius Duskywing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Erynnis_persius_on_a_flower.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bill Bouton from San Luis Obispo, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erynnis_persius_on_a_flower.jpg) ## Appearance The Persius Duskywing is a small, robust butterfly with mottled dark gray to brownish-black wings. Its forewings often feature several small, faint, translucent white spots near the tip. Its overall appearance provides excellent camouflage against tree bark and dry leaves. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Erynnis ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillar babies are skilled builders, rolling up leaves to make cozy hideaways to live in. - Sometimes, adult duskywings sip moisture from damp soil or mud puddles to get important minerals! - Unlike 'true' butterflies, skippers like the Persius Duskywing have hooked antennae tips! - When resting, this butterfly often holds its forewings and hindwings at different angles, ready for a quick escape! ## Special abilities - **Master of Disguise:** Persius Duskywing has dusky, mottled wings that help them blend perfectly with tree bark and dried leaves. - **Speedy Skipper:** Persius Duskywing can fly with quick, darting movements because of their strong wing muscles, making them hard to catch. - **Nectar Sipper:** Persius Duskywing has a long, straw-like proboscis that helps them drink sweet nectar from deep inside flowers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-40 mm - **Size:** 19-22 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies enjoy sipping sweet nectar from colorful flowers! - **Age differences:** Caterpillars feed on the leaves of specific plants, while adults use their long proboscis to drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Wild Indigo leaves, Wild Lupine leaves, Milkweed nectar, Thistle nectar, Clover nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Wild Indigo (*Baptisia australis*) — Its caterpillars rely solely on these plants for food. - **Eats:** [Wild Lupine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-lupine) (*Lupinus perennis*) — Another essential host plant for Persius Duskywing caterpillars. - **Depends on:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adults drink nectar from these flowers for energy. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds like blue jays often prey on adult duskywings. ## 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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 It's best to watch butterflies from a distance so they feel safe and can keep flying. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Persius 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 Persius Duskywing's wingspan? 30-40 mm ### How big is Persius Duskywing? 19-22 mm ### How long does Persius Duskywing live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Persius Duskywing fly? 20 km/h ### What does Persius Duskywing eat? Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies enjoy sipping sweet nectar from colorful flowers! ### Where is Persius Duskywing usually found? Meadows and open woods ### How does Persius Duskywing hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [P Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/p-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [William Allen White Cabins](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/william-allen-white-cabins) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Gakona Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gakona-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Moraine Park Museum and Amphitheater](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/moraine-park-museum-and-amphitheater) — Colorado, US · Historic District [View all places to see Persius Duskywing](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/persius-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: [Persius Duskywing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/persius-duskywing)