Columbine Duskywing - Erynnis lucilius

The upperside is dark brown; the brown patch at end of the forewing cell is indistinct. The underside of hindwings have marginal and submarginal rows of well-defined pale spots. The male has a costal fold containing yellow scent scales, while females have a patch of scent scales on the 7th abdominal segment.

Spotted on a stone wall in a meadow.

comments (7)

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

So pretty! Not one I've spotted before! Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  A first for me as well. The brown spots had a pink hue that was really nice. I'm not 100% about the ID, so I've posted it on BugGuide. Posted 7 years ago
2. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Listed as endangered, could possibly be a rare find! Posted 7 years ago
3. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Interesting! I will definitely try to get the ID verified. Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
      
      Lion
      
      I think it would be S1 (critically imperiled) in Christine's area (if it turns out to be this species). Posted 7 years ago

RMFelix

Lion

Beautiful* Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you :-) Posted 7 years ago

The Columbine duskywing

''Erynnis lucilius'', the columbine duskywing, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found in North America from southern Quebec to Manitoba and south to the northeastern United States.

The wingspan is 21–29 mm. There are two generations in the east from early May to mid-June. The larvae feed on ''Aquilegia canadensis''. They also sometimes feed on sometimes Aquilegia vulgaris. The species is listed as endangered in the Connecticut by state authorities.

Info 1 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Christine Young