The Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly is found in much of the eastern U.S. from New England south to northern Florida and South Dakota south to Texas. The wings are dark brown. The upperside of the forewing is very dark on the basal half, appearing “oily”. At the end of the cell, there is a distinct, light, orangish-brown or reddish-brown patch. There are several spots, including a cluster of four white translucent spots at the leading edge in the region just before the tip (subapical area); two white subapical spots near the middle; and a row of pale marginal spots. The hindwing has a faint cell end bar, a row of white marginal spots, and a row of pale submarginal spots.

 

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Wild Indigo Duskywing Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Pyrginae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/8 – 1 5/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Open woods and barrens for native hosts. Highways, railroad beds, and upland fields

 

Wild Indigo Duskywing Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Blue Wild Indigo
• Yellow Wild Indigo
• White Wild Indigo
• Cream Wild Indigo
• Lupine
• False Lupine
• Crown Vetch
• Hairy Bush Pea
• Arrowhead Rattlebox

Nectar Plants:

• Nectar from various flowers
  • Blackberry
  • White Sweet Clover
  • Crimson Clover
  • Dogbane
  • Lobelia
  • Thistle
  • Purple Coneflower
  • Mexican Sunflower
  • Stone Crop
  • Fleabane
  • Joe-Pye Weed
  • Blue Wild Indigo