Skinner's Cloudywing
Common NameSkinner's Cloudywing
Scientific NameThorybes skinneri
FamilyHesperiidae
SubfamilyEudaminae
Wingspan (mm)38
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, white
HabitatOpen woodlands, canyons, mountain meadows, chaparral
Geographic RangeWestern North America (California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico) and parts of Mexico
Host PlantsLotus, Trifolium, Lathyrus, Astragalus
Flight PeriodMay to July (sometimes a second brood in August-September)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae feed on legumes, often constructing leaf shelters. They typically overwinter as mature larvae or pupae.
Identification TipsKey features include the dark brown wings with subtle, glassy spots on the forewing and the prominent, clean white fringe on the hindwing, which helps distinguish it from other cloudywings. The antennae are hooked at the tip.
Description
A medium-sized, dark brown skipper with a robust body, characterized by faint, translucent spots on the forewings and a distinctive white fringe along the hindwing margin.
