Persius Duskywing
Common NamePersius Duskywing
Scientific NameErynnis persius
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyPyrginae
Wingspan (mm)32
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, gray
HabitatOpen woodlands, forest edges, clearings, prairies, savannas
Geographic RangeNorth America (southern Canada, Great Plains, eastern US, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest)
Host Plantslupine, wild indigo, false indigo
Flight PeriodLate April to July
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae feed within leaf shelters and overwinter as pupae or mature larvae, emerging as adults in a single brood per year.
Identification TipsDistinguished from similar duskywings by the arrangement and often indistinct nature of its small forewing hyaline spots, and the lack of prominent hindwing spots. Definitive identification often requires examination of male genitalia.
Description
A medium-sized, dark brown to grayish-brown skipper with mottled forewings featuring small, often indistinct, translucent spots. The hindwings are typically unmarked dark brown.
