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Wisconsin Native Caterpillars

American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) caterpillar

Sleepy Duskywing Caterpillar

Genus-Species: Erynnis brizo

Description: he caterpillar is light green with a yellow lateral stripe. The body is covered with short hairs and minute white tubercles. The head is brown and has a pair of bright orange dots, one along each side of the facial region.

Chrysalis: The chrysalis varies in color from dark green to brown.

Description: The caterpillar is light green with a yellow lateral stripe. The body is covered with short hairs and minute white tubercles. The head is brown and has a pair of bright orange dots, one along each side of the facial region.

Host Plants: Scrub Oak.

Habitat: Forest edges, open woodlands, and oak barrens where its larval host plants, various species of oaks, are found.

Comments: The Sleepy Duskywing is one of the earliest butterflies on the wing in the spring — besides species who overwinter as adults — and has been seen as early as April 9 in Michigan. In central Wisconsin, they are most often seen flying in May and become scarce in June.

Adult Sleepy Duskywing Butterfly Profile
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