Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)

OTHER NAMES: Dingy Grass-Skipper

Latin Etymology: Erynnis (?) tages (after an Etruscan deity)

Adult Dingy Skipper (subspecies E. t. tages) at Brigstock, Northants - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Erynnis tages tages
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 29mm
UK Status: Vulnerable / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The skippers are a family of Butterflies which to the untrained may resemble moths, and the Dingy Skipper more than most due to its very drab appearances.  It is in decline in the UK and its distribution is wide but in patches rather than continuous.  They feed largely on Bird's-foot trefoil.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae 
Genus: Erynnis
SUBSPECIES: E. t. tages, E. t. baynesi

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen at sites including Brigstock

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Erynnis (?) persius (named for a Roman Poet)

Adult Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius) at Writing-on-Stone, Alberta - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Unclear, possibly Erynnis persius borealis
Wingspan: 2.8-3.5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

Named for an ancient Roman Poet, the Persius Duskywing is a small skipper species whose hostplant are primarily lupins and fale-lupins. They have a distinct population in New England  which is much scarcer and considered endangered in many locales. It has some closely related and similar species in places like the Wild Indigo Duskywing.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae 
Genus: Erynnis
SUBSPECIES: E. p. persius, E. p. avinoffi, E. p. borealis, E. p. fredericki

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Range in South Eastern Canadaa
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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