Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961
Erynnis persius
This record describes Erynnis persius (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult : Upperside is brown-black. FW has few clear dots and very dim markings; patch at end of FW cell is grayish. Male FW has many raised white hairs. HW fringes are dark. Male has a costal fold containing yellow scent scales; female has a patch of scent scales on the 7th abdominal segment. a The eastern subspecies of the Persius Duskywing is now rare throughout its range primarily because of destruction of the specialized habitat of its larval host plants. b
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Pyrginae
- Tribe
- Erynnini
- Genus
- Erynnis (Duskywings)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open areas including mountain grasslands, marshes, sand plains, seeps and stream sides. a
Seasonal Activity
One brood from April-June.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adult : Flower nectar. Larva : Preferred host plant: Lupinus perennis , also wild indigo. In the West it feeds on other members of the Fabaceae family
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. a
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Erynnis persius. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Beatriz Moisset , Robert Lord Zimlich
Frequently Asked Questions About Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961
What is Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961?
Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961 (Erynnis persius) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961?
WS ≈ 29–42mm a FWL ≈ 11-15mm b
How do you identify Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961?
Adult : Upperside is brown-black. FW has few clear dots and very dim markings; patch at end of FW cell is grayish. Male FW has many raised white hairs. HW fringes are dark. Male has a costal fold containing yellow scent scales; female has a patch of scent scales on the 7th abdominal segment. a
Where is Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961 found?
Habitat: Open areas including mountain grasslands, marshes, sand plains, seeps and stream sides. a
What does Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961 eat?
The diet of the Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961 includes Adult : Flower nectar. Larva : Preferred host plant: Lupinus perennis , also wild indigo. In the West it feeds on other members of the Fabaceae family.
When is Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961 active?
Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961: seasonal activity - One brood from April-June..
What is the life cycle of a Persius Duskywing - Hodges#3961?
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. a