Identification
Forewings lack translucent spots. Compare Dreamy Duskywing, E. icelus. See Internet, print references.
Range
Eastern United States, plus southwestern United States into Mexico, parts of California.
Habitat
Dry oak or oak/pine woodlands, usually on sandy or shaly soil.
Season
April-May, early June (northern part of range, e.g., New York, Wisconsin), March-April (North Carolina), January-May (Florida, Texas)
Food
Adults take nectar, especially from heath family (Ericaceae) plants. They also take fluids from mud, etc.
Life Cycle
Larvae feed on oaks of dry habitats, including Scrub Oak, Quercus ilicifolia and Black Oak, Quercus velutina. Larvae live in nests of rolled oak leaves and overwinter there, pupate and emerge in spring. Males "hilltop", or patrol hostplants to seek females. One flight per year.
Print References
Brock and Kaufman, p. 284
(1)
Glassberg, p. 155, plate 51
(2)
Scott, plate 4 (caterpillar), 42 (adult), fig. 71, #647, p. 488
(3)
Allen, p. 194, plate 25--adult, plate 40--larva
(4)
