Common Name: Propertius Dusky-Wing
Our commonest and most widespread
Erynnis, easily recognized in our area by its large size, brown hindwing
fringe, and two light spots near the outer angle of the hindwing beneath. It
occurs from sea level to 9000', though the individuals seen above 7000' seem to
be hilltopping
fly-ups and there is no evidence of breeding up there (in fact, there are often
no hosts). An avid puddler, often in large numbers, it occurs in woodlands and
forests but is very nearly gone from the Central Valley.
In theory this is a
single-brooded species
(February to July, depending on site), but at Gates Canyon it has repeatedly
produced a partial second brood in mid-to-late summer. Second-brood individuals
are subtly different in phenotype
from firsts. The same is true of the related Eastern species E. horatius,
which also produces one or more summer broods.
Larvae live in rolled-leaf nests
on a variety of tree Oaks, both deciduous and evergreen. I have not found them
using exotic species in cities or parks-at least not yet.
Adults visit many flowers,
including Vetches, Blue Dicks, Phacelia, Fioddleneck, Yerba Santa, California
Buckeye, Dogbane, Milkweed, Pussy Paws? you name it. Males perch and hilltop,
but are not obligate hilltoppers.