Erynnis funeralis, commonly known as the funereal duskywing, is a species of butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found from southern United States (California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas), south to Argentina and Chile. Strays can be found north up to northern Illinois, north-eastern Nebraska, central Colorado, southern Nevada and central California.

Funereal duskywing
Erynnis funeralis feeding on Chaenactis fremontii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Erynnis
Species:
E. funeralis
Binomial name
Erynnis funeralis
(Scudder & Burgess, 1870)
Synonyms
List
  • Nisoniades funeralis Scudder & Burgess, 1870
  • Helias clericalis Burmeister, 1875
  • Nisoniades australis Mabille, 1883
  • Phlebodes clericalis Burmeister, 1878
  • Thanaos funeralis Godman & Salvin, [1899]
Funereal duskywing in Tucson, Arizona

The wingspan is 34–45 mm. They are very similar to the mournful duskywing, but can be distinguished by narrower fore wing with a light brown patch along outer edge. Their wings are black and brown with a white fringe on the hind wings. Adults are seen from February to October.[1]

The larvae have a black head and a green body with yellow hairs and yellow markings.[1] Its host plant is often Medicago sativa.[2] Larvae feed on various plants, including Robinia neomexicana, Medicago hispida, Lotus scoparius, Olneya tesota, Vicia, and Acmispon. Adults feed on flower nectar.[3][1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Will, Kip; Gross, Joyce; Rubinoff, Daniel; Powell, Jerry A. (2020). Field Guide to California Insects. Oakland, California: University of California Press. pp. 402–403. ISBN 9780520288744.
  2. ^ Shapiro, Arthur. "Erynnis funeralis". Art Shapiro's Butterfly Site. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  3. ^ "Erynnis funeralis". explorer.natureserve.org.
edit