Species Details

Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameDreamy Duskywing SeasonalityOne brood annually, peak flight activity from late May to early June. IdentificationThe duskywing skippers (genus Erynnis) can be a challenge to identify, particularly in prairie habitat where all three species may occur together. The Dreamy Duskywing can be separated from the other two species by the white spot near the forewing tip: icelus has either only one spot or none at all, while the other two duskywings (E. afranius and E. persius) have at least two (more often three or four) spots. The Dreamy Duskywing is also slightly smaller on average, with a wingspan of 25 to 30 mm. the forewing apex is more blunt in shape, giving icelus a more squared-off appearance than the other two duskywings.

Scientific Name Erynnis icelus Common Name Dreamy Duskywing Habitat Widespread in clearings and meadows and woodlands near aspen woods. Seasonality One brood annually, peak flight activity from late May to early June. Identification
The duskywing skippers (genus Erynnis) can be a challenge to identify, particularly in prairie habitat where all three species may occur together. The Dreamy Duskywing can be separated from the other two species by…
The duskywing skippers (genus Erynnis) can be a challenge to identify, particularly in prairie habitat where all three species may occur together. The Dreamy Duskywing can be separated from the other two species by the white spot near the forewing tip: icelus has either only one spot or none at all, while the other two duskywings (E. afranius and E. persius) have at least two (more often three or four) spots. The Dreamy Duskywing is also slightly smaller on average, with a wingspan of 25 to 30 mm. the forewing apex is more blunt in shape, giving icelus a more squared-off appearance than the other two duskywings.
Life History
Freshly laid eggs are green, and turn pink upon aging (Bird et al. 1995). Larvae are stout and tapered at both ends, and pale green with whitish dots. There is a dark dorsal and pale lateral stripe (McCabe & Post…
Freshly laid eggs are green, and turn pink upon aging (Bird et al. 1995). Larvae are stout and tapered at both ends, and pale green with whitish dots. There is a dark dorsal and pale lateral stripe (McCabe & Post 1977). The caterpillar constructs a nest out of the host plant leaves (Layberry et al. 1998).
Conservation No conservation concerns. Diet Info
The larval host plant has not been recorded in Alberta, but likely includes one or more of the following Willows (Salix spp.), poplars (Populus spp.) and Birch (Betula spp.) (Layberry et al.1998). Adults feed at…
The larval host plant has not been recorded in Alberta, but likely includes one or more of the following Willows (Salix spp.), poplars (Populus spp.) and Birch (Betula spp.) (Layberry et al.1998). Adults feed at legume blossoms (Hooper 1973) and take moisture at damp soils (Nielsen 1999).
Range Most of temperate North America, from the Mackenzie River valley, NWT south to Arizona / New Mexico and Georgia, but absent from much of the Great Plains states (Layberry et al. 1998, Opler 1999).

Citation

Page Citation for Erynnis icelus

Page Citation

"Species Details - Erynnis icelus, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2583. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

References

Specimen Information

There are 55 specimens of this Species.

55 results plotted on map in 19 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

BIRD6120 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, McKenzie Crossing Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2004-05-08

BIRD6121 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, McKenzie Crossing Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2004-05-08

BIRD6122 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, McKenzie Crossing Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2004-05-08

BIRD10567 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2005-05-14

BIRD10568 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2005-05-22

BIRD10569 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2005-05-28

UASM211351 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wagner Natural Area Collected ByRobinson, E. Date Collected2000-06-01

BIRD33430 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2010-05-16

BIRD34910 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2011-05-29

CBCC1424 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Moose Lake Provincial Park Collected ByChristensen, C. B. Date Collected2005-05-26

BIRD36512 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2013-06-02

BIRD37289 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2014-05-31

BIRD37822 - Erynnis icelus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2015-05-23

Adult Seasonal Distribution