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Species Details
Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameNorthern Cloudywing
SeasonalityAdults are most often encountered in mid to late June. One brood annually.
IdentificationA relative large skipper (wingspan 28 to 38mm) that is most similar to our duskywing skippers (Erynnis spp.), but the Northern Cloudywing has even, dark brown forewing uppersides, not mottled like the duskywings. The sharply curved-back antennal clubs will also distinguish this species.
Scientific Name
Thorybes pylades
Common Name
Northern Cloudywing
Habitat
Clearings and meadows in pine and aspen woodlands, valley bottoms in the prairies.
Seasonality
Adults are most often encountered in mid to late June. One brood annually.
Identification
A relative large skipper (wingspan 28 to 38mm) that is most similar to our duskywing skippers (Erynnis spp.), but the Northern Cloudywing has even, dark brown forewing uppersides, not mottled like the duskywings. The…
A relative large skipper (wingspan 28 to 38mm) that is most similar to our duskywing skippers (Erynnis spp.), but the Northern Cloudywing has even, dark brown forewing uppersides, not mottled like the duskywings. The sharply curved-back antennal clubs will also distinguish this species.
Life History
The eggs are pale green (Bird et al. 1995), and larvae are dark green with a brownish ventral line and paler lateral lines (Layberry et al. 1998). The mature larvae feed and overwinter in shelters made from the host…
The eggs are pale green (Bird et al. 1995), and larvae are dark green with a brownish ventral line and paler lateral lines (Layberry et al. 1998). The mature larvae feed and overwinter in shelters made from the host plant leaves (Layberry et al. 1998). Males exhibit perching behaviour to await females, and will chase off other butterflies entering their territory (McCabe & Post 1977, Acorn 1993).
Conservation
Not of conservation concern.
Diet Info
The larval hostplant in Alberta is unrecorded. Elsewhere, this species feeds on various herbaceous legumes such as vetches and clovers (Hooper 1973, Opler 1999). Adults nectar at legume flowers such as vetch, alfalfa…
The larval hostplant in Alberta is unrecorded. Elsewhere, this species feeds on various herbaceous legumes such as vetches and clovers (Hooper 1973, Opler 1999). Adults nectar at legume flowers such as vetch, alfalfa (Hooper 1973) and locoweed (McCabe & Post 1977). Adults sip moisture at damp earth (Bird et al. 1995).
Range
Occurs throughout most of temperate North America, north to the Alberta / NWT border. Restricted to watercourses in the drier parts of the Great Plains (Opler 1999).
Citation
Page Citation for Thorybes pylades
Page Citation
"Species Details - Thorybes pylades, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2602/9-3636. Accessed 04 Oct. 2024.
References
Author
Opler, Paul A.
Title
A field guide to western butterflies.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
540
Author
Bird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
Title
Alberta Butterflies
Publication Date
1995
Pages
349
Author
Acorn, John
Title
Butterflies of Alberta
Publication Date
1993
Pages
143
Author
McCabe, T.L. and R.L. Post.
Title
Skippers (Hesperioidea) of North Dakota.
Publication Date
1977
Pages
70 pp.
Author
Layberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
Title
The Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date
1998
Pages
280
Author
Hooper, R.R.
Title
The Butterflies of Saskatchewan
Publication Date
1973
Pages
216 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 37 specimens of this Species.
UASM18888 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1913-06-22
UASM18890 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1915-05-23
UASM18893 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1915-05-23
UASM18894 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1915-05-23
UASM18891 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-06-10
UASM18887 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-05-14
UASM18895 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-05-24
UASM18889 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-03
UASM18892 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-05
UASM18899 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-06-18
UASM18897 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Beaverlodge
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-06-24
UASM18896 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1915-05-24
UASM18898 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1915-05-24
UASM18906 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1915-05-24
UASM18902 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1917-06-03
UASM18904 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1917-06-10
UASM18900 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1918-06-02
UASM18901 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1918-06-08
UASM18903 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Date Collected1913-06-18
UASM18905 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Date Collected1923-06-27
UASM33006 - Thorybes pylades
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1996-06-12