# Wild Indigo Duskywing (*Erynnis baptisiae*) The Wild Indigo Duskywing is a small butterfly with dark wings and beautiful patterns. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often found in sunny areas where its favorite plants grow. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Wild Indigo Duskywing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Wild_Indigo_Duskywing_-_Erynnis_baptisiae%252C_Letchworth_State_Park%252C_Mt._Morris%252C_New_York_-_28775166893.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wild_Indigo_Duskywing_-_Erynnis_baptisiae%252C_Letchworth_State_Park%252C_Mt._Morris%252C_New_York_-_28775166893.jpg) ## Appearance The Wild Indigo Duskywing has dark, dusky brown or grey-brown wings that are often mottled. Its forewings usually feature a few small, faint white spots, and its wings have a short fringe. It has a robust, moth-like body and appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Hesperiidae - **Genus:** Erynnis ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillars are masters of disguise, rolling up leaves to create their secret homes! - This butterfly sips nectar using a long, straw-like tongue called a proboscis. - Though it looks like a moth, it's actually a butterfly that loves to fly during the day. - Wild Indigo Duskywings are speedy fliers, making them tricky to catch even for predators! ## Special abilities - **Clever Camouflage:** Wild Indigo Duskywing has dark, mottled wings that help them blend perfectly with tree bark and shadows, making them hard to spot. - **Rapid Escape:** Wild Indigo Duskywing can fly with swift, erratic movements that help them quickly dodge predators in the air. - **Leaf Shelter Architect:** Wild Indigo Duskywing caterpillars can construct cozy leaf shelters that help them hide safely from hungry birds and wasps. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 10-15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink flower nectar, while caterpillars munch on plant leaves! - **Age differences:** Yes, adults drink nectar, but young caterpillars eat plant leaves. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, Baptisia leaves, Lotus corniculatus leaves, Coronilla varia leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Wild Indigo (*Baptisia tinctoria*) — Its caterpillars eat the leaves of this plant. - **Eats:** [Bird's-foot Trefoil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/birds-foot-trefoil) (*Lotus corniculatus*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this common plant. - **Pollinates:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Adults help pollinate these flowers while drinking nectar. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Adult butterflies and caterpillars can become food for these birds. ## 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. - [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 Wild Indigo 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 Wild Indigo Duskywing's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Wild Indigo Duskywing? 15-20 mm ### How long does Wild Indigo Duskywing live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Wild Indigo Duskywing fly? 10-15 km/h ### What does Wild Indigo Duskywing eat? Adults drink flower nectar, while caterpillars munch on plant leaves! ### Where is Wild Indigo Duskywing usually found? Grasslands ### How does Wild Indigo Duskywing hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Dayville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dayville-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Irvington Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/irvington-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District - [Rolling Hills Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rolling-hills-zoo) — Kansas, US · Zoo - [Cato Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cato-hill-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Lower Village District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-village-district) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Rutland Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rutland-courthouse-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District [View all places to see Wild Indigo Duskywing](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/wild-indigo-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: [Wild Indigo Duskywing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-indigo-duskywing)