Erynnis martialis

Description

Erynnis martialis, the mottled duskywing, is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae. It is found in most of the eastern United States and in southern Ontario, and southeastern Manitoba. It is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in the US state of Connecticut. The wingspan is 25–29 mm. There can be two generations from mid-May to late August. The larvae feed on wild lilacs including New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) and redroot (Ceanothus herbaceus) in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Adults feed on nectar from flowers of Bush houstonia, Gromwell, Verbena stricta and other plants.