Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius [Lintner])
Wing span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/8 inches (3.2 - 3.5 cm).
Identification: Hindwing fringes are pale-tipped. Upperside is dark brown; forewing has abundant pale overscaling and several clear spots. Male has a costal fold containing yellow scent scales; female has a patch of scent scales on the 7th abdominal segment.
Life history: To seek females, males perch in gullies and swales during the day. Females lay eggs singly under leaves of the host plant.
Flight: Several flights from March-August in southern California; two flights from May-August in the rest of the range.
Caterpillar hosts: Various legumes including deerweed (Lotus scoparius), lupine (Lupinus species), and milkvetch (Astragalus species).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open woodlands, edges and openings in forests, prairie.
Range: Montana and North Dakota south through the mountains to southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico.
