Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 771914

Funereal Duskywing
Erynnis funeralis

Observation date: March 16, 2013
Submitted by: Nancy Hamlett
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I saw several of these (or very similar) butterflies in coastal sage scrub in the late morning and mid-afternoon at the Bernard Field Station in Claremont, CA. Patches of Quercus agrifolia were also nearby. The weather was warm and mostly sunny. This individual was on Encelia californica. Others were on Artemisia californica and Acmispon glaber. Both Erynnis tristis and Erynnis funeralis have been observed at the field station, and the host plants for both are present. I do not know how to tell the two species apart, so any tips would be appreciated!
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: March 24, 2013
Coordinator notes: Funeralis has more elongated forewings and a relatively larger triangular shaped hind wing. The position and number of white spots on the FW can be different. Tristis often has browner colored wings in more aged individuals while funeralis is more consistently blackish.
Partner project: Los Angeles Butterfly Survey