Persius Duskywing
Erynnis persius (Scudder, 1863)
Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Upperside is brown-black. Forewing has few clear dots and very dim markings; patch at end of cell is grayish. Male forewing has many raised white hairs. Hindwing fringes are dark. Male has a costal fold containing yellow scent scales; female has a patch of scent scales on the 7th abdominal segment.
Wing Span: 1 1/8 - 1 5/8 inches (2.9 - 4.2 cm).
Life History: During the day males perch on hilltops to seek females, usually sitting on the ground or on low twigs. Females lay eggs singly under leaves of the host plants. Caterpillars feed on leaves and live in shelters of rolled or tied leaves. Fully-grown caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: One brood from April-June.
Caterpillar Hosts: Lupine (Lupinus), golden banner (Thermopsis), Lotus, and other legumes.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open areas including mountain grasslands, marshes, sand plains, seeps, streamsides.
Range: In the west, from Alaska and the McKenzie River delta south to southeastern Manitoba; south through the western mountains to southern California, southern Arizona, and southeast New Mexico. In the east, northern New England west to Wisconsin; south in the Appalachians to Virginia. Comments: The Columbine, Wild Indigo, and Persius dusky wings belong to the "Persius complex," a confusing group of very similar butterflies.
Conservation: Populations in the Midwest and Northeast found in pine-oak barrens should be monitored and conserved.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Manage habitat of lupine-feeding populations by mechanical disturbance or infrequent burns (no more frequent than every 5 years).
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 169 - 192 of 673 verified sightings
Observation date: May 18, 2013
Submitted by: Tommie Rogers
Region: San Juan County, Utah, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Feb 20, 2014
Observation date: Jul 03, 2011
Submitted by: randimal
Region: Okanogan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Dec 26, 2013
Observation date: Jun 16, 2013
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Big Horn County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 13, 2013
Observation date: Jul 02, 2013
Submitted by: Nancy Lea Sandy
Region: Natrona County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 04, 2013
Observation date: May 26, 2013
Submitted by: allelopath
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 03, 2013
Observation date: May 15, 2013
Submitted by: Jdammarell
Region: Pend Oreille County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 23, 2013
Observation date: Jun 02, 2013
Submitted by: aarongunnar
Region: Burnett County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jun 05, 2013
Observation date: Apr 30, 1986
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (George T. Austin)
Region: Lyon County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 30, 1988
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Michael Smith)
Region: Esmeralda County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 09, 1982
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ken Hansen)
Region: Lander County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 03, 1984
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (S. S. McKown)
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 14, 2012
Submitted by: swimperi
Region: Gilpin County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 16, 2012
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Missoula County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Jul 25, 2012
Observation date: Jun 16, 2012
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Mineral County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Jul 25, 2012
Observation date: Jul 02, 2011
Submitted by: js97032@yahoo.com
Region: Linn County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: danaross
Verified date: Jan 23, 2012
Observation date: May 31, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Tom Murray #)
Region: Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 26, 2001
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Nelson, MA NHESP)
Region: Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 03, 1984
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (S. S. McKown)
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Ray Stanford)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 20, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (MBC (Murray+Nielsen))
Region: Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 29, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Tom Murray)
Region: Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 30, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Tom Murray #)
Region: Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 26, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (MBC (Murray+Nielsen))
Region: Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: sharonstichter2 (MBC Recordkeeper)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Aug 07, 2007
Submitted by: RaisingButterfl...
Region: Davis County, Utah, United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Nov 28, 2011
Observation date: Jun 12, 2011
Submitted by: cpcdolan
Region: Archuleta County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 15, 2011
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