About Erynnis funeralis (Scudder & Burgess, 1870)
Erynnis funeralis, commonly known as the funereal duskywing, is a butterfly species belonging to the family Hesperiidae. This species ranges from the southern United States, specifically California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, southward to Argentina and Chile. Stray individuals can be found as far north as northern Illinois, northeastern Nebraska, central Colorado, southern Nevada and central California. The wingspan of Erynnis funeralis measures 34 to 45 mm. It is very similar in appearance to the mournful duskywing, but can be distinguished by its narrower forewing, which has a light brown patch along its outer edge. Its wings are black and brown, with a white fringe on the hindwings. Adult funereal duskywings are active from February to October. The larvae have a black head, a green body, and bear yellow hairs and yellow markings. A common host plant for this species is Medicago sativa. Larvae feed on a variety of plants, including Robinia neomexicana, Medicago hispida, Lotus scoparius, Olneya tesota, Vicia, and Acmispon. Adult butterflies feed on flower nectar.
