The Sleepy Duskywing butterfly is found throughout North America. The Sleepy Duskywing flies in a rapid, bouncing flight near the ground. It often lands on the ground or on low vegetation with its wings spread in a horizontal position. Sleepy Duskywings are dark brown with a few black lines, grayish patches and cream-colored spots. This skipper, along with the Dreamy Duskywing, is distinct from most other duskywings in that it lacks the whitish, glassy spots near the sub-apical region of the forewing. It has a unique bluish-gray band that extends along the submarginal region of the outer margin of the forewing. The gray band is bordered on both sides by a row of black crescents. A marginal row of white spots is also seen in the forewing.

 

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Sleepy Duskywing Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Pyrginae

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

Butterfly Habitat: Oak or oak-pine scrub, chaparral, barrens; on well-drained sandy or shaly soils

 

Sleepy Duskywing Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Scrub Oak
• Black Oak
• Bur Oak
• American Chestnut

Nectar Plants:

• Nectar from various flowers
  • Blueberry
  • Blackberry
  • Wild Azalea
  • Dandelion
  • Downy Phlox
  • Eastern Redbud
  • Hoary Puccoon