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).
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 548 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 29, 2013
Submitted by: Alan Holyoak
Region: Fremont County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jan 28, 2016
Observation date: Jul 09, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jan 18, 2016
Observation date: Jun 14, 2015
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 08, 2015
Observation date: May 31, 2015
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 07, 2015
Observation date: Jul 01, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 18, 2015
Observation date: Jun 29, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 18, 2015
Observation date: Jul 29, 2015
Submitted by: Nancy Asquith
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Aug 31, 2015
Observation date: Jul 02, 2015
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 11, 2015
Observation date: Jun 06, 2015
Submitted by: alchem30
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: alchem30
Verified date: Jun 18, 2015
Observation date: Jun 12, 2015
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Yukon Territory, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 16, 2015
Observation date: May 04, 2015
Submitted by: PJNosler
Region: Clackamas County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 30, 2015
Observation date: Jul 08, 2014
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 02, 2014
Observation date: May 24, 2014
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 25, 2014
Observation date: Jun 24, 2014
Submitted by: rcav
Region: Yellowstone National Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 29, 2014
Observation date: Jun 25, 2014
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Yukon Territory, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 28, 2014
Observation date: Jun 25, 2014
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Yukon Territory, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 28, 2014
Observation date: May 24, 2014
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 03, 2014
Observation date: Jun 24, 2014
Submitted by: Samsara Duffey
Region: Lewis And Clark County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 01, 2014
Observation date: Jun 23, 2014
Submitted by: John Ashley
Region: Flathead County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 25, 2014
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
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