Dun Skipper Caterpillar

Genus-Species: Euphyes vestris

Description: The caterpillars are translucent green with numerous, wavy silvery-white dashes. The head on mature caterpillars is tricolored. It is black in the back and the face is caramel brown with two vertical cream bands. There is a distinctive dark oval spot centered high on the face.

Chrysalis: The abdomen of the pupae is whitish green, while the wing cases and thorax are pale yellow green. The head is pale brown. There is a light frosting of white. The chrysalis is somewhat translucent, which makes it appear blotchy. There is a detached tongue case that is very long; it extends to the fourth abdominal segment. The chrysalis is formed in a silk-lined tube near the host plant's base, where it sits upright.

Host Plants: Various sedges including chufa flatsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and sun sedge (Carex heliophila).

Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats including open upland habitats, and may be found nectaring in wetland areas. This species is more common along woodland edges and trails through woodlands in the northern part of the state

Comments: The Dun Skipper is one of the most common skippers in Wisconsin and is found throughout the state. It seems more common in the northern part of the state, where it becomes abundant after the European Skippers abundance has waned.

Adult Butterfly Profile