Endangered Resources Program Species Information
Wild Indigo Dusky Wing (Erynnis baptisiae)
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Overview
Species Overview
Wild indigo dusky wing ( Erynnis baptisiae ), a State Special Concern butterfly. This species has been recorded in dry open woods, prairie including wet prairie, pine/oak barrens and more recently, along highways and railroad right-of-ways with crown vetch (Coronilla varia). This is a bivoltine species, with flight periods the first three weeks of July and in late August to early September. Eggs are laid singly on the hostplant, which include wild indigos, lupine, and crown vetch. Larvae feed from a shelter of leaves and fully-grown larvae from the second brood hibernate in a leaf shelter.
Status and NHI Documented Occurrences in Wisconsin
The table below provides information about the protected status (State and Federal Status) and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Wild Indigo Dusky Wing (Erynnis baptisiae). See the Working List Key for more information about the abbreviations used. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. For invertebrates, dots depict locations from the "Invertebrate Atlas," a database with occurrences of rare and common aquatic and select terrestrial invertebrate species found in Wisconsin and adjacent areas. While the invertebrate atlas is a quality assured database, not all records have been verified. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.
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Detailed Information
Identification: The forewings above are mottled with black, brown and faint tan patches with several small white spots toward the apex. They are dark on the basal half and lighter on the outer half, with a distinct orange-brown patch at the end of the cell. Hindwings above are dark with blurry pale spots in one or two rows in the outer third and a thin black marginal line and a gray fringe. The habit of resting on the ground with wings held below horizontal helps separate the Erynnis skippers from other dark butterflies. Sending a specimen to a lepidopterist for microscopic examination is the only way to reliably separate the Persius, Wild Indigo, and Columbine duskywings. All three are hostplant specialists and careful observation of adult activity around possible host plants may offer a clue to their identification. Wingspan: 29-34mm. Length of forewing: 14-16 mm. Green with short hairs and covered with white dots. Head has red, orange, or yellow markings (Virtual West Virginia 2003).
Similar Species: Of the eight species of duskywings in Wisconsin, the Persius, Wild Indigo, and Columbine duskywings are closely similar and the most difficult to distinguish from each other. Columbine duskywing has a single strong row of white spots along the outer margin of the hindwing below. Sleepy and Dreamy duskywings have no white spots and a prominent chain-like postmedian band on the forewing. Juvenal’s Duskywing is significantly larger (a minimum of 37 mm wingspan, forewing 18 mm) and distinguished by the two subapical light spots that are usually present on the underside of the hindwing.
Habitat: Dry open woods, prairie including wet prairie, pine/oak barrens and more recently, along highways and railroad right-of-ways with crown vetch (Coronilla varia).
Nectar Source: Blackberry (Rubus spp.), white sweet clover (Melilotus alba), dogbane (Apocynum spp.), sunflower (Helianthus spp.) and red clover (Opler and Krizek 1984). Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) in wet prairies has been reported in Wisconsin.
Host Plant: Yellow wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria) across the range. Baptisia tinctoria has only been found in sandy black oak habitat in Columbia County (Cochrane 2000). Opler and Krizek (1984) state that the skippers will choose white wild indigo (Baptisia alba), and other selected Fabaceae species including crown vetch and wild lupine (Lupinus perennis) (Schweitzer 1994). The University of Wisconsin has taken specimens from lead plant (Amorpha canescens).
Associated Species: Other Erynnis spp.
State Distribution: Crawford, Dane, Dunn, Grant, Iowa, Jackson, Polk, Sauk, and Vernon Counties. Localized in Wisconsin, but often found to be numerous in patches of crown vetch.
Global Distribution: Maine, New York south to Florida and west to Minnesota and south to the Texas gulf coast.
Threats: Habitat loss due to woody species and forest encroachment. Since it is unknown where the larvae overwinter, they may be exposed and vulnerable to being killed by fire.
Phenology: There are at least two broods in Wisconsin with most documented records being in the first three weeks of July and in late August to early September.
Life History: Bivoltine. Eggs are laid singly on the hostplant. Larvae feed from a shelter of leaves and fully-grown larvae from the second brood hibernate in a leaf shelter..
Survey Guidance: Check patches of crown vetch, but also search around native hosts. Often can be found perching low in shrubs. Females have a low, bouncing flight. Voucher specimens should be collected and examined by a specialist.
Inventory, Monitoring and Research Needs: Locate additional populations and better define adult flight times.
Management Guidance: Sites managed with fire should be divided into several burn units and include refugia as a necessary precaution.
Information originally presented as part of the Online Field Guide to Rare Lepidoptera: Bogs and Barrens.
Photos
Click on a photo to view a larger version. Please considering donating your photos to the Endangered Resources Program for educational uses. See also information regarding use of photos
![Wild Indigo Dusky Wing [Photo #13450]](thumbnail_photos/eryn_bapt_001.jpg) |
Wild Indigo Dusky Wing, Bellevue State Park, IA. Photo © Mike Reese. |
Related Links
Links to Additional Wild Indigo Dusky Wing Information
- WisconsinButterflies.org Species Profile [Exit DNR]
- Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) [Exit DNR]
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