The Hoary Edge butterfly is found throughout the eastern United States. Both the upper and lower sides of the wings are deep brown, with orange spots decorating the upper surface. Its most distinctive feature is a bold cottony white patch on the underside of the hindwing near the body. This striking contrast gives the butterfly its name and adds to the quiet elegance it brings to the landscape.

 

“Hoary Edge” by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Hoary Edge Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Pyrginae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/4 – 1 15/16 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Open woodland and brushy areas, particularly oak or pine woods with sandy soil

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Beggar’s-ticks (Desmodium spp.)

• Bush Clover (Lespedeza spp.)

• False Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Hoary Edge butterflies feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

• Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis)

• Hoary Skullcap (Scutellaria incana)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Thistles (Cirsium spp.)

• Vervain (Verbena spp.)