Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Afranius Duskywing
Erynnis afranius (Lintner, 1878)


Family: Hesperiidae
Subfamily: Pyrginae
Identification: Hindwing fringes are pale-tipped. Upperside is dark brown; forewing has abundant pale overscaling and several clear spots. Male has a costal fold containing yellow scent scales; female has a patch of scent scales on the 7th abdominal segment.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/8 inches (3.2 - 3.5 cm).
Life History: To seek females, males perch in gullies and swales during the day. Females lay eggs singly under leaves of the host plant.
Flight: Several flights from March-August in southern California; two flights from May-August in the rest of the range.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various legumes including deerweed (Lotus scoparius), lupine (Lupinus species), and milkvetch (Astragalus species).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open woodlands, edges and openings in forests, prairie.
Range: Montana and North Dakota south through the mountains to southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Get your BAMONA Gear!

Hoodies and t-shirts in two designs!


Advertise with us!

Do you have a product or service that you think would interest BAMONA users? If you would like to advertise on this website, contact us by email, or use the contact form and select the "Advertising" category.