The Zarucco Duskywing is primarily found in the southeastern United States, ranging from North Carolina south to the Florida Keys, and west through the Gulf coastal states to eastern Texas and Oklahoma.

This species is mostly brown on both the upper and lower wing surfaces. On the upper forewing, three to five small, glassy white spots appear in the sub-apical region. These white spots sit just beyond a distinctive light russet red to beige patch located at the end of the forewing cell and extending into the post-medial area near the outer edge.

 

Licensed under (CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication)

 

Zarucco Duskywing Facts

Butterfly Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Pyrginae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 5/8 – 1 7/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Wood edges, open fields, and scrub

 

🪴 Host Plants

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

• Bagpod (Sesbania vesicaria)

• Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

• Hairy Bush Clover (Lespedeza hirta)

• Hoary Pea (Tephrosia spp.)

• Milkpea (Galactia spp.)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

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

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

• Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

• Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Thistles (Cirsium spp.)