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Southern Cloudywing/Thorybes bathyllus
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Posted by misssherry Z8/9MS (My Page) on Thu, Jul 2, 09 at 23:55
At least I think that's what this cute little butterfly is - I suppose it could be a confused cloudywing/Thorybes confusis, but I think I see in the first picture a white spot on the end of its antenna on the right at the bend, which is apparently the key to correctly identifying it. When I first saw it, I thought it was an old, faded long-tailed skipper that had lost its tail, but then noticed its lower wing was completely edged in checkered white, so that couldn't be.
My field guide says that "male lacks costal fold on forewing above" - is that what I see in the first picture with the wings partly open?
Duskywings are fairly common here, being one of the first ones I see in early spring, but I'm not sure if I've ever seen a cloudywing before - maybe I saw one and dismissed it as another duskywing.
Anyway, it's something different. Maybe somebody can tell me what the costal fold is.
Sherry |
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RE: Southern Cloudywing/Thorybes bathyllus
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Sherry,
Bear with me, it's after 2 AM here and its been a long day (started early Wed morning for me). I tried to doctor your picture to show where the coastal fold in male skippers are along the coastal margin. They are usually larger near the thorax tapering to nothing toward the forewing tip. Sometimes you can see the scent scales in the fold and they often are a different color (like yellow/white, etc). HTH
Larry 
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RE: Southern Cloudywing/Thorybes bathyllus
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| Sherry, I'm pretty sure it's a Southern CW. I was taught the hour glasses are the identifying mark to differentiate from other Cloudywings. Congrats on your find. I've include a link to my pbase site where I have photos posted of the Northern, Southern, and Confused. My Southern does not have the clear, concise markings that your Southern has. You can see the Costal fold on my photo of the Hayhurst Scallopwing which is just previous to the Northern CW. Sandy |
Here is a link that might be useful: Northern Cloudywing
RE: Southern Cloudywing/Thorybes bathyllus
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Thanks, Larry, your picture is right on!
Sandy, I can clearly see the costal fold on your Hayhurst scallopwing. I may have seen butterflies that had them, but I would have just thought it had a slightly deformed wing - I didn't know it was normal in some species for the wing to be folded over a little on the edge.
After looking at your pictures, I agree that mine is a southern cloudywing.
Sherry |
RE: Southern Cloudywing/Thorybes bathyllus
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Nice picture Sherry! Arrgh, those skippers get me. I have been conducting surveys each week and it just frustrates me. Last Saturday I went out with the Ohio Leps group and we saw Mulberry Skippers and I had to take their word for it. Yes, they looked different but...what is frustrating is I am really trying and don't feel it is sinking in.
-Elisabeth |
RE: Southern Cloudywing/Thorybes bathyllus
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