The Juvenal’s Duskywing is commonly found in the eastern and southwestern United States. It has wings that are fringed in white or brown, depending on the individual.

Males have dark brown forewings mottled with black spots, chevrons, and small white markings. The hindwings are a lighter brown with pale spots. Females are lighter overall, with markings similar to the males, but larger and more distinct.

The underside of the hindwings features two pale spots that help distinguish this species from other duskywings.

 

“Juvenal’s Duskywing” by Christina Butler, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Juvenal’s Duskywing Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Pyrginae

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

Butterfly Habitat: Oak woods or scrub and associated edges or fields

 

🪴 Host Plants

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

• Black Oak (Quercus velutina)

• Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica)

• Bluejack Oak (Quercus incana)

• Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana)

• Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

• Post Oak (Quercus stellata)

• Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)

• Scrub Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

• Water Oak (Quercus nigra)

• White Oak (Quercus alba)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Juvenal’s Duskywings feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)

• Carolina Vetch (Vicia caroliniana)

• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

• Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

• Fleabane (Erigeron spp.)

• Purple Phacelia (Phacelia bipinnatifida)

• Wild Plum (Prunus americana)

• Winter Cress (Barbarea vulgaris)