Alabama Butterfly Atlas

Sleepy Duskywing is one of the earliest flying skippers in Alabama.  It, along with the more common Juvenal's Duskywing, is on the wing in February, but Sleepys only fly through March and April.  Distinguishing the two duskywings can be difficult. One clue is that Sleepy Duskywings lack the white spots that are easily seen on Juvenal's forewings. In fact, "Sleepy" may refer to its “closed eyes” --the absence of the stack of white dots at the forewing “wrist” of Juvenal's Duskywing.

Sleepy Duskywings tend to choose dry oak woodlands as their homes. Their flight is rapid and bouncing. When resting, perching, or nectaring, their wings are open.  Males perch on twigs and dart out to investigate anything that flies, usually returning to the same twig. They congregate to sip moisture and nutrients from damp soil, although in large puddle clubs, there are usually more Juvenal's Duskywings than Sleepys.

Female lay their eggs on or near the new growth of several oak species, typically scrub oaks.  Caterpillars live within a shelter they construct by tying leaves together with silk. They develop slowly.  Growth is not complete until fall when they quit eating and turn light brown.  These final instars construct a shelter in a leaf that eventually falls from the tree, and the caterpillars spend the winter in the leaf litter on the ground. Pupation occurs in early spring.

 This widespread skipper is found throughout most of the U.S. and ranges into northeastern Canada. Although records in southern Alabama are sparse, Sleepy Duskywings should occur in the appropriate habitats.