Thorybes pylades
(Scudder, 1870)
northern cloudywing
Thorybes pylades, commonly known as the northern cloudywing, is a in the Hesperiidae. It is recognized by its uniformly dark brown wings with small triangular clear spots. The has a broad distribution across North America, with flying in spring and summer. Larvae feed on various legumes in the family Fabaceae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Thorybes pylades: //ˈθɔːrɪbiːz ˈpaɪlədiːz//
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Identification
Distinguished from similar cloudywing skippers by the complete dark brown wing coloration with only small triangular clear spots, lacking the more extensive pale markings or larger clear areas found in related . The uniform dark brown ground color separates it from Thorybes bathyllus (southern cloudywing), which has more contrasting pale spots and often shows a whitish costal fold in males.
Images
Appearance
Wingspan 32–47 mm. Wings are completely dark brown in both sexes, with small triangular clear spots. No distinct light or patterned areas on the wing surface beyond these spots.
Habitat
Open woodlands, forest edges, and open fields.
Distribution
Nova Scotia west across Canada to Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba; south through the United States to California. Also present in Middle America.
Seasonality
One in northern range, flying May to July. Two broods in southern range, flying March to September.
Diet
Larval plants: Fabaceae including Desmodium, Lespedeza, Trifolium, and Hosackia. nectar at Apocynum, Prunella, Securigera varia, Lonicera japonica, thistle, Asclepias syriaca, Dianthus armeria, and Verbena.
Host Associations
- Fabaceae - larval -level association
- Desmodium - larval of Fabaceae
- Lespedeza - larval of Fabaceae
- Trifolium - larval of Fabaceae
- Hosackia - larval of Fabaceae
Life Cycle
Females lay singly on the underside of plant leaves. Caterpillars feed on host foliage, then pupate within rolled leaves of the host plant.
Ecological Role
serve as when nectaring. Larvae are herbivores that consume leguminous plants.
Similar Taxa
- Thorybes bathyllusSouthern cloudywing has more extensive pale markings and larger clear spots; males often show a whitish costal fold lacking in T. pylades.
More Details
Nomenclature
Formerly placed in Cecropterus; now classified in Thorybes.