Pholisora catullus

Photo Credit: © Eugene Karolinskiy, Butterflies of Notre Dame and St. Joseph Co, Indiana
Pholisora catullus
Common Name: common sootywing
Animal Guild: Insect
Class > Order > Family: Insecta > Lepidoptera > Hesperiidae
What does the species look like?

The upperside of the Common Sootywing is glossy black with small white spots on the outer third of the forewing. The females have more white spots on the forewings than the males, and a row of spots on the hindwing occurs just in from the margin. The underside of forewing repeats the upperside, while the hindwing is solid black.

Caterpillars are green with an oval head capsule.

Total adult length: 1 to 1.3 inches (25 – 35 mm).

Similar species: The Golden-Headed Scallopwing (Staphylus ceos) is a similar species, but as its names suggests, it has a golden head and adults are faster flying than the Common Sootywing.
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AL, AR, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MB, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, ON, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, SK, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY
Distribution

This species occurs across the most of the United States and the western Canadian provinces.

Common Sootywings prefer riparian habitats or cropland/hedgerow, grassland/herbaceous, old field, suburban/orchard weedy backyards, vacant lots, landfills, edges of croplands; any place where the weedy annual plants that it prefers grow in the open. They are very seldom in any kind of natural setting in most of their range. This species can occur in more natural settings, such as gulches in the southwest.
General Phenology and Life History

Common Sootywings overwinter as fully fed caterpillars, pupating in April. There are typically two broods; from May-August in the north, March-November in Texas. Caterpillars feed on Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), amaranths (Amaranthus), and cockscomb (Celosia). Adults feed on nectar from many flowers including dogbane, marjoram, oxalis, white clover, common milkweed, peppermint, cucumber, and melon.

Adults bask with the wings spread open. To find receptive females, males patrol near the ground in sunny places to mate during the morning or afternoon. Near midday, females lay eggs singly on the tops of host plant leaves. Caterpillars live and feed within shelters of folded leaves. Caterpillars of the second brood overwinter in their silk-lined leaf shelters and pupate within them in the spring.
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Adults
One or more adults are seen or heard moving about or at rest.
More...

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Adults feeding
One or more adults are seen feeding with their straw-like tongue (proboscis). If possible, record the substance and species on which they are feeding (for example, nectar, sap, dung, or moist soil) in the comments field. For Pholisora catullus, adults feed on the flower nectar of many different plant species.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Flower visitation
One or more individuals are seen visiting flowers or flying from flower to flower. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field.

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Reproduction Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually end to end. This can occur at rest or in flight.

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Egg laying
A female is seen laying eggs on a plant or other surface. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Pholisora catullus, eggs are typically deposited on the leaves of lambsquarters, amaranth or cockscomb plants.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Eggs
One or more eggs are seen on a plant or other surface. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Pholisora catullus, the tiny, dome-shaped, pinkish-brown eggs are covered in a raised, crochet-like pattern, and are typically found on the leaves of lambsquarters, amaranth or cockscomb plants.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Development Caterpillars
One or more caterpillars (larvae) are seen moving about or at rest. When seen on a plant, if possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Pholisora catullus, caterpillars have a plump, pale green (sometimes brownish or reddish) body with a large, dark brown head and are covered with white dots and short, white hairs. They enclose themselves in folded leaves to feed.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Caterpillars feeding
One or more caterpillars are seen feeding. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field. For Pholisora catullus, caterpillars typically feed on lambsquarters, amaranth or cockscomb plants.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Pupae
One or more pupae are seen in a cocoon or shell (puparium). For Pholisora catullus, pupae are enclosed in an ovoid, light brown, translucent shell (chrysalis) which is covered in a whitish film and appears darker as the butterfly develops. They are typically enclosed in the folded leaf of a lambsquarters, amaranth or cockscomb plant. Do not include empty pupal shells after the adult has emerged from them.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Dead adults
One or more dead adults are seen.

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Dead caterpillars
One or more dead caterpillars are seen.

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Method Individuals at a feeding station
One or more individuals are seen visiting a feeder, feeding station, or food placed by a person.

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Individuals in a net
One or more individuals are seen caught in a net.

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Individuals in a trap
One or more individuals are seen caught in a trap.

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What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.