Achalarus lyciades
(Hübner, 1819)
Hoary Edge
Achalarus lyciades, commonly known as the Hoary Edge, is a in the . It is a -sized with distinctive patterning and is associated with leguminous plants. The species occurs in eastern North America and is active during the warmer months. are known to visit flowers for nectar.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Achalarus lyciades: /əˈkælərəs laɪsiˈeɪdiːz/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
The Hoary Edge can be distinguished from similar by the pale, hoary-colored on the margin, which gives the its . The are dark with small pale spots. It is larger and more than many related grass-skippers, with a wingspan of approximately 32–38 mm. The have hooked tips characteristic of the . It resembles Achalarus casica (Desert Cloudywing) but occurs in different geographic regions and .
Images
Habitat
Found in open woodlands, forest edges, and along streams where plants grow. Occurs in areas with sandy or rocky soils supporting leguminous vegetation.
Distribution
Eastern North America, from southern Ontario and New England west to Minnesota and south to Texas and Florida. Present throughout the eastern United States with scattered records in adjacent Canadian provinces.
Seasonality
are active from late May through August, with peak activity in June and July. One to two per year depending on latitude.
Diet
feed on leaves of leguminous plants, particularly in the Lespedeza and Desmodium. feed on nectar from various flowers including , dogbanes, and other summer-blooming plants.
Host Associations
- Lespedeza - larval foodplant
- Desmodium - larval foodplant
Life Cycle
are laid singly on leaves. construct leaf shelters by folding or tying leaves together with . occurs within these shelters or in leaf litter on the ground. Overwinters as a partially grown larva.
Behavior
perch on vegetation with partially open, darting out to investigate intruders or potential mates. Males are territorial and establish perches in sunny openings. Both sexes visit flowers for nectar and are rapid, erratic fliers typical of .
Ecological Role
of various flowering plants. serve as on leguminous vegetation and as for and .
Human Relevance
Occasionally encountered by watchers and photographers. Not of economic importance. Serves as an for intact woodland with legume understories.
Similar Taxa
- Achalarus casicaSimilar size and shape, but A. casica occurs in arid western regions and lacks the distinct hoary edge. A. lyciades has more extensive pale spotting on the .
- Thorybes pyladesBoth are dark with pale markings, but T. pylades (Northern Cloudywing) has a more diffuse, less defined pale on the and different proportions.