Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Hesperiidae

     Pholisora catullus
     Common Sootywing


upperside
underside

Size: Wingspread 0.75- 1 in.
Recognition: Small, predominantly brown-black above and below, with few white spots at edge of FW.
Flight period: Adults representing multiple generations may be seen from April to October.
Hostplants: The larvae of the Common Sootywing feed on pigweeds (Chenopodium and Amaranthus).
Habitat: Commonly seen in disturbed areas, including vacant lots and agricultural settings.
Distribution: Occurs coast-to-coast in the U.S., south into central Mexico.

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