Butterfly: Wingspan: 1½ - 2 inches (3.8 - 4.8 cm). This butterfly is confused with the Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades) and the Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus). This is why it was given the name "Confused Cloudywing." It has the brown wing colorations and the white spots of the Northern and Southern cloudywings. However, on the upperside of the forewing, the tiny white spot nearest the body is drawn out into a thin line. The face is pale and does not have any white on the antennae. Many biologists refuse to identify this species in the field, but rather collect it and closely examine it for its distinguishing characters.
Egg: Light green. Laid singly.
Caterpillar: Pale brown body. Larvae eat leaves and live in a shelter of leaves that they tie together with sik. Final instar caterpillars overwinter.
Chrysalis:
Confused Cloudywings often fly with Southern and Northern Cloudywings, presenting an identification nightmare. Perhaps this species seems rare in Alabama because it is difficult to identify with certainity and may be confused with these simliar cloudywings. Few life history observations have been documented.
Confused Cloudywing is a rather wide-ranging species found from central Florida northward along the Atlantic coastal plain to southeastern Pennsylvanis and west to Missouri, south to Texas and eastward across the Gulf coastal states.
A dot on the county map indicates that there is at least one documented record of the species within that county. In some cases, a species may be common throughout the county, in others it may be found in only a specific habitat. The High Count information shows the highest numbers recorded for this species as well as when and where they occurred.
The sightings bar graphs depict the timing of flight(s) within each of three geographic regions. Place your cursor on a bar within the graph to see the number of individuals recorded during that period.
The abundance calendar displays the total number of individuals recorded within each week of the month. Both the graphs and the calendar are on based data collection that began in 2000.
The records analyzed here are only a beginning. As more data is collected, these maps and graphs will paint a more accurate picture of distribution and abundance in Alabama. Submit your sightings to albutterflyatlas@gmail.com.
Sightings in the following counties: Baldwin, Bibb, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Dallas, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Perry, Shelby, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Washington
High count(s):
View county names by moving the mouse over a county or view a map with county names
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1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
Confused Cloudywings are usually seen in clearings and roadsides near wetland areas. They are often seen puddling along dirt roads.
In Alabama, host plants have not yet been documented.
Lespedezas (Lespedeza spp.) are reported as well as Florida Hoarypea (Tephrosia florida).
No gardening tips are available for this poorly-known species.
Click on individual photos to view a larger version that includes photo credits, county, and date.
Photos with comments are indicated by a small, tan dot on the bottom right.