North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Arizona

Meridian Duskywing (Erynnis meridianus)
JPG -- species photo

Meridian Duskywing (Erynnis meridianus Bell)

Wing span: 1 5/8 - 1 7/8 inches (4.2 - 4.8 cm).

Identification: Fringes of hindwing are pale-tipped. Wings are black. Pattern on upperside of forewing has very little contrast with background. Transparent spots are small in the male, large in the female. Underside of hindwing is a uniform brown; spots below apex are very small or absent. Male has a costal fold containing yellow scent scales; female has a patch of scent scales on the 7th abdominal segment.

Life history: Males perch on hilltops to wait for females. Fully-grown caterpillars hibernate.

Flight: Two broods from March-September in the Southwest.

Caterpillar hosts: Arizona white oak (Quercus arizonica) and plateau oak (Q. fusiformis); perhaps others.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Oak thickets in foothills.

Range: Southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas south to Mexico City.

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:

Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern butterflies. Peterson 
     field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston. 396 pages, 48 color plates.

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:

Bailowitz, R. A. and J. P. Brock. 1991. Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. 
     Tucson, Ariz.: Sonoran Arthropod Studies, Inc.

Garth, J.S. 1950. Butterflies of Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon 
     Natural History Association, Grand Canyon, Ariz.

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.
Meridian Duskywing (Erynnis meridianus)
distribution map
map legend

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