Erynnis brizo

Sleepy duskywing
Top (left) and bottom (right)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Hesperiidae
Genus:	Erynnis
Species:	E. brizo
Binomial name
Erynnis brizo Boisduval & LeConte (1832)[1]

Erynnis brizo, the sleepy duskywing or banded oak duskywing, is a species of Hesperiidae butterfly that occurs throughout North America and is commonly confused with E. juvenalis and E. lucilius.^[2]

Description

The upper forewing is blackish brown with continuous bluish-brown spots. The hindwing is almost completely brown with lighter brown spots. The caterpillar of this species is small and gray green with purplish tips. There is a faint lateral white stripe. Unlike most caterpillars Hesperiidae have distinct heads and the E. brizo's head is brown with an orange spot.^[3]

Habitat

This small Erynnis stays in oak-pine barrens and cut-over forest. It can be seen near forest edges including near roads, train tracks and towns.

Life cycle

There is a single brood which flies between April and July; in this period the females lay eggs singly on the host plants, black oak and other common oak in its range. Adults nectar on blueberry, dandelion, birdfoot violet, blue violets and strawberries.

Mating

References

1. "Erynnis brizo Boisduval & Le Conte 1832 - Encyclopedia of Life". Retrieved 2009-06-11.
2. "Species Erynnis brizo - Sleepy Duskywing - BugGuide". Retrieved 2009-06-11.
3. Nielsen, Mogens C. (1999). "Skippers". Michigan Butterflies & Skippers A Field Guide and Reference (1st ed.). Michigan State University Extension. pp. 184–185. ISBN 1-56525-012-5.

External identifiers for Erynnis brizo
Encyclopedia of Life	179115