Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Rocky Mountain Duskywing
Erynnis telemachus Burns, 1960


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Fringes are brown. Upperside is brown; forewing has gray scales and distinct clear spots. Underside of hindwing has very small spots below the apex. Male has a costal fold containing yellow scent scales; female has a patch of scent scales on the 7th abdominal segment.
Wing Span: 1 3/8 - 1 3/4 inches (3.5 - 4.5 cm).
Life History: To seek females, males perch in gulches during the day. Females lay eggs singly on the bark and leaf buds of the host plant.
Flight: One brood from April-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Gambel oak (Quercus gambeli).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Oak woodland and openings.
Range: Southern Wyoming, Utah, southeastern Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL