Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956
Erynnis zarucco
This record describes Erynnis zarucco (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
One of the larger Duskywings. Dorsal, both males and females have a reddish brown patch near the white cell end spots. Trailing edge of the wings have a pale tan fringe, sometimes white in the Florida Keys. Ventral, dark with little to no spotting. The Duskywings are difficult group to separate. Compare with Wild Indigo Duskywing and Horace's Duskywing Type Locality: habite l’île de Cuba
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
Found in open fields, forest edges, and open scrub areas with host plants or nectat sources.
Geographic Range
TX-FL-VA-OK (several strays to NY, ONT) / Cuba - MPG
Seasonal Activity
3 or more broods, year round in Florida, an March-October northward.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Woody legumes, including several Locusts.
Life History
Caterpillars tie leaves together for shelter. Fall caterpillars overwinter as larva.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Erynnis zarucco. 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 Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956
What is Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956?
Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956 (Erynnis zarucco) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956?
42-48mm wingspan
How do you identify Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956?
One of the larger Duskywings. Dorsal, both males and females have a reddish brown patch near the white cell end spots. Trailing edge of the wings have a pale tan fringe, sometimes white in the Florida Keys. Ventral, dark with little to no spotting. The Duskywings are difficult group to separate. Compare with Wild Indigo Duskywing and Horace's Duskywing
Where is Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found in open fields, forest edges, and open scrub areas with host plants or nectat sources. |
| Range | TX-FL-VA-OK (several strays to NY, ONT) / Cuba - MPG |
What does Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956 eat?
The diet of the Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956 includes Woody legumes, including several Locusts..
When is Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956 active?
Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956: seasonal activity - 3 or more broods, year round in Florida, an March-October northward..
What is the life cycle of a Zarucco Duskywing - Hodges#3956?
Caterpillars tie leaves together for shelter. Fall caterpillars overwinter as larva.