Summary ⁵

The Northern Cloudy Wing (Thorybes pylades (Scudder)) is a relatively large skipper that holds its wings spread while resting on the ground. The similar Southern Cloudy Wing (Thorybes bathyllus (J. E. Smith) can be distinguished from the Northern Cloudy Wing by the lack of a costal fold in the male forewing and the spot in the forewing cell CuA1 is a bar in the Southern Cloudy Wing and a small spot in the Northern Cloudy Wing.

Description ⁶

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.

Larva Description ⁵

Head maroon-black, dark prothorax. Body yellowish-orange to dark green, with tiny yellow or orange dots, maroon blotches, dorsal stripe brownish or maroon, pale dorso-lateral line, and lateral reddish lines.

Larval Host Plants ⁵

Various plants in the pea family (Fabaceae) including beggar's ticks (Desmodium), bush clover (Lespedeza), clover (Trifolium), lotus (Hosackia), and others.

GTM Occurrence ⁵

The Northern Cloudy Wing is considered an uncommon species at the GTM. Most observations were in the open habitat along Transect A. A single observation was on the Marsh Pond Overlook (Transect B). This species has only been sighted three times at GTM. A single specimens was sighted on Transect A on June 30, 2009 and 20 specimens were sighted on Transect A on October 18, 2009. On March 19, 2012 a single specimen was observed on Transect B. There have been 22 specimens observed as of December 28, 2015.

Distribution ⁷

The Northern Cloudy Wing is seen from Nova Scotia west across Canada, south into California and across the rest of the United States.

Habitat ⁸

Clearings and meadows in pine and aspen woodlands, valley bottoms in the prairies. A variety of brushy or wooded habitats with legumes, including some non-native ones.

Nature serve conservation status ⁹

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Sources and Credits

1. (c) David A. Hofmann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/23326361@N04/3056562259/
2. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/jroldenettel/3767959033/
3. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/jroldenettel/3767959513/
4. (c) GTMResearchReserve, all rights reserved, uploaded by GTMResearchReserve
5. (c) GTMResearchReserve, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
6. Adapted by GTMResearchReserve from a work by (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31884876
7. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorybes_pylades
8. (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31884877
9. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28821037

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Moth Photographers Group
• Moths of North Carolina
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths

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