Numbers
17 species in North America; 13 in Canada
Identification
See "description & taxa" under INTERNET REFERENCES below for characteristics and biology of the group.
Remarks
The genus Erynnis (Duskywings) is probably the most difficult group of North American butterflies to identify in the field. However, the identity of a particular individual can often be narrowed to a few possibilities by noting the habitat and examining the range maps for each species (see INTERNET REFERENCES section below). A further critical comparison of an individual's key field marks to those in reliably identified images is often enough to arrive at a certain or near-certain ID; examination of the genitalia may be required in some cases but is usually not necessary when the preceding steps have been taken with due care.
Internet References
description & taxa with links to images, info, & range maps of Canadian species (CBIF)
pinned adult images with links to info & range maps of all North American species (Nearctica.com)
live adult images of 5 species found in Massachusettes (NABA)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Last updated 8 January, 2005 - 10:44pm
