Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Hesperiidae

     Thorybes pylades
     Northern Cloudywing


upperside
underside

Size: wingspread 1.25-2 in.
Recognition: Upperside dark brown, with light (translucent) triangular spots along leading edge; underside of HW with two dark bands.
Flight period: Adults active May through July.
Hostplants: Larvae feed on a variety of legumes (Fabaceae), such as vetches (Vicia), clovers (Trifolium), milkvetches (Astragalus) and others.
Habitat: These skippers can be found in open forest settings and canyon areas, generally at higher elevations.
Distribution: Found patchily throughout the U.S., southern Canada, and temperate parts of Mexico.

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