The Funereal Duskywing is a butterfly that ranges from Texas and the Southwest down into Argentina. It is also found farther north in the U.S. Great Plains and along the Mississippi Valley. This species has black wings with distinctive white fringes on the hindwings. The forewings are narrow and pointed, while the hindwings are somewhat triangular.

Funereal Duskywings resemble Horace’s Duskywing but have longer, narrower forewings with fewer, smaller spots and fainter mottling. The species is named for its dark, somber coloration.

 

“Funereal Duskywing” by Lisa Reid, licensed under (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Funereal Duskywing Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Pyrginae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 5/16 – 1 3/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Deserts, warm or arid lowlands, and roadsides

 

🪴 Host Plants

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

• Bigpod Sesbania (Sesbania herbacea)

• Bur Clover (Medicago hispida)

• Deerweed (Lotus scoparius)

• Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota)

• New Mexican Locust (Robinia neomexicana)

• Vetch (Vicia spp.)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Funereal Duskywings feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Bigpod Sesbania (Sesbania herbacea)

• California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)

• Deerweed (Lotus scoparius)

• Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota)

• Rosary Babybonnets (Coursetia glandulosa)

• Thistles (Cirsium spp.)

• Vervain (Verbena spp.)