Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius [Lintner])
Wing span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/8 inches (3.2 - 3.5 cm).
Identification: Hindwing fringes are pale-tipped. Upperside is dark brown; forewing has abundant pale overscaling and several clear spots. Male has a costal fold containing yellow scent scales; female has a patch of scent scales on the 7th abdominal segment.
Life history: To seek females, males perch in gullies and swales during the day. Females lay eggs singly under leaves of the host plant.
Flight: Several flights from March-August in southern California; two flights from May-August in the rest of the range.
Caterpillar hosts: Various legumes including deerweed (Lotus scoparius), lupine (Lupinus species), and milkvetch (Astragalus species).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open woodlands, edges and openings in forests, prairie.
Range: Montana and North Dakota south through the mountains to southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico.
Conservation: Not usually required.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management needs: None reported.
References:
Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates. Stanford, R. E. and P. A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of western USA butterflies including adjacent parts of Canada and Mexico. Denver and Fort Collins, CO. Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann
State and Regional References:
Opler, Paul A. 1999. Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, revised edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. Stanford, R.E. and P.A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western USA Butterflies. Privately published, Denver, Colo. Tilden, J.W. and A.C. Smith. 1986. A Field Guide to Western Butterflies. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.