Thorybes bathyllus
(J.E. Smith, 1797)
southern cloudywing
Thorybes bathyllus, commonly known as the southern cloudywing, is a North American in the Hesperiidae. It is characterized by erratic, low and challenging identification due to individual variation and seasonal forms. The exhibits distinct spring and summer morphs in southern , with spring forms being lightly marked and summer forms more boldly patterned. It has one per year in northern regions and two to three broods in the south.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Thorybes bathyllus: /ˈθɔrɪˌbiːz bəˈθɪləs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from Thorybes pylades (northern cloudywing) by whitish palps versus brown, continuous white ring versus interrupted, and absence of male fore wing costal fold. Distinguished from Thorybes confusis (confused cloudywing) by white spot on antennal club bend (absent in confusis), and more tightly connected subapical fore wing spots with bottom spot only slightly offset versus quite offset. Spring forms resemble T. confusis and require careful examination; summer forms more readily identified by bold markings.
Images
Habitat
Open including stream margins, meadows, savannas, scrubby fields, and woodlands.
Distribution
North America; recorded from Vermont southward through eastern and central United States.
Seasonality
June to mid-July in northern range; March to November in southern range with multiple .
Host Associations
- Apios americana - larval potato bean
- Astragalus distortus var. engelmannii - larval Ozark milkvetch
- Bradburya virginiana - larval pea
- Centrosema virginianum - larval spurred pea
- Desmodium ciliare - larval hairy small-leaved -trefoil
- Desmodium paniculatum - larval panicled -trefoil
- Desmodium rotundifolium - larval round-leaved -trefoil
- Lespedeza capitata - larval roundhead lespedeza
- Lespedeza hirta - larval hairy lespedeza
- Lespedeza virginica - larval slender lespedeza
- Rhynchosia tomentosa - larval twining snoutbean
- Strophostyles helvola - larval amberique-bean
- Strophostyles leiosperma - larval slick-seed bean
- Tephrosia florida - larval Florida hoarypea
Life Cycle
pale green, laid singly on underside of plant leaves. Larva brown with greenish hue, dark mid- stripe, pale lateral line, black and collar; constructs leaf shelter by rolling or tying leaves with silk. Pupa greenish with brown markings or dull brown. Overwinters as mature larva. One per year in north; two to three broods in south with corresponding seasonal forms.
Behavior
rapid and erratic, remaining closer to ground than close relatives. Males highly territorial, using same perch throughout lifespan.
Similar Taxa
- Thorybes pyladesSimilar size and range; distinguished by brown palps, interrupted white ring, and male fore wing costal fold
- Thorybes confusisSimilar size, range, and seasonal confusion; spring forms especially similar; distinguished by grayish-white palps, lack of white antennal club spot, and more loosely connected subapical fore wing spots
More Details
Seasonal forms
In southern with multiple , spring forms are lightly marked and resemble T. confusis, while summer forms are more boldly patterned. This complicates field identification and requires examination of multiple characters.