Thorybes diversus explained

Thorybes diversus, the western cloudywing, is a butterfly of the Hesperiidae (skipper) family. It is found in the western North America. The range extends along western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountain ranges, from southern Oregon to Mariposa County. The habitat consists of small openings in coniferous forests.

Morphology

The adults are primarily a dull brown. The upper aspects of the wings have small pale spots, while the undersides show gray scaling at the margins. The males lack the fold on the forewings leading edge, known as a costal fold, which in other species of butterflies contains scent scales (androconia).[1] Hindwings may show darker banding. The wingspan is 32–38 mm. The wings are dull brown with small pale spots. Adults are on wing from June to July in one generation per year.

The larvae (caterpillars) feed on Trifolium wormskioldii, a species of clover native to the western half of North America.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Butterfly Glossary. ALL ABOUT BUTTERFLIES!. 16 October 2014.
  2. Web site: Attributes of Thorybes diversus. Butterflies and Moths of North America. 16 October 2014.