Hesperiidae : Pyrginae
Ephyriades zephodes (Hübner, 1820)
Zephodes Duskywing
Ephyriades zephodes (Hübner, 1820)
Zephodes Duskywing
Note: It had been previously thought that Ephyriades arcas also occurred on Cuba but it is now believed from DNA work that has been done (pers. comm.) that the only species to occur on Cuba and Hispaniola is Ephyriades zephodes.
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 40-44mm. Sexually dimorphic. Males are very dark brownish black above with a purplish tinge and have some white scales on the top of the head when fresh. Males also have an obvious costal fold containing the androconia (scent scales) on the forewing covering 2/3 the length of the wing. Male Zarucco Skipper Erynnis zarucco show some pale flecking above including three small white sub-apical spots on the forewing. Female E. zephodes can be distinguished from Florida Duskywing Ephyriades brunnea by slightly different placement of some of the white dots on the forewing and lack of the purple tinge.
Range: Southern Mexico to Brazil and several of the Greater and Lesser Antilles.
Status: On Cuba it is widespread but uncommon.
Nectar Plants: Lantana, Bidens pilosa, Tournefortia hirsutissima, Suriana maritima, Coccoloba uvifera, Serjania, Croton discolor and on damp ground.
Larval Foodplants: Hernandez states that Gundlach found larvae on Stigmaphyllum, Malpighia, Ceiba, Mesechites and Echites.
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 40-44mm. Sexually dimorphic. Males are very dark brownish black above with a purplish tinge and have some white scales on the top of the head when fresh. Males also have an obvious costal fold containing the androconia (scent scales) on the forewing covering 2/3 the length of the wing. Male Zarucco Skipper Erynnis zarucco show some pale flecking above including three small white sub-apical spots on the forewing. Female E. zephodes can be distinguished from Florida Duskywing Ephyriades brunnea by slightly different placement of some of the white dots on the forewing and lack of the purple tinge.
Range: Southern Mexico to Brazil and several of the Greater and Lesser Antilles.
Status: On Cuba it is widespread but uncommon.
Nectar Plants: Lantana, Bidens pilosa, Tournefortia hirsutissima, Suriana maritima, Coccoloba uvifera, Serjania, Croton discolor and on damp ground.
Larval Foodplants: Hernandez states that Gundlach found larvae on Stigmaphyllum, Malpighia, Ceiba, Mesechites and Echites.
