Genus Erynnis Higher classification Duskywing | Family Hesperiidae Scientific name Erynnis brizo Rank Species | |
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Similar Duskywing, Butterfly, Erynnis icelus, Skipper, Erynnis juvenalis | ||
Erynnis brizo, the sleepy duskywing or banded oak duskywing, is a species of Hesperiidae butterfly that occurs throughout North America and is commonly confused with E. juvenalis and E. lucilius.
Contents
Description
The upper forewing is blackish brown with continuous bluish-brown spots. The hindwing is almost completely brown with lighter brown spots. The caterpillar of this species is small and gray green with purplish tips. There is a faint lateral white stripe. Unlike most caterpillars Hesperiidae have distinct heads and the E. brizo's head is brown with an orange spot.
Habitat
This small Erynnis stays in oak-pine barrens and cut-over forest. It can be seen near forest edges including near roads, train tracks and towns.
Life cycle
There is a single brood which flies between April and July; in this period the females lay eggs singly on the host plants, black oak and other common oak in its range. Adults nectar on blueberry, dandelion, birdfoot violet, blue violets and strawberries.