Northern Cloudywing
Common NameNorthern Cloudywing
Scientific NameThorybes pylades
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyEudaminae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, white
HabitatOpen woodlands, forest edges, fields, meadows, roadsides
Geographic RangeEastern and central North America, from southern Canada south to Florida and Texas
Host Plantsclover, bush clover, tick-trefoil, alfalfa
Flight PeriodApril to October
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are green with a dark head, feeding on legumes and constructing leaf shelters. They overwinter as pupae or mature larvae.
Identification TipsLook for the overall dark brown coloration with small, distinct hyaline (translucent) white spots on the forewings. Unlike some similar species, it lacks a prominent white band on the hindwing underside.
Description
A medium-sized, dark brown skipper with a robust body and small, translucent white spots on the forewings. The hindwings are generally unmarked.
