Wing span: 3.5-4.5 cm.
Flight time: A single brood, with adults flying from end of April to mid May.
Status: Rare breeding resident.
Distinguishing features: The Sleepy Duskywing shares with the Dreamy Duskywing that the forewings lack clear spots. However, it is larger, and has two continuous and distinct black bands on the forewing above.
Distribution and habitat: This species is scattered and rare throughout the southeastern half of the state. It appears limited to dry oak woods often in close proximity to dry prairie openings.
Natural History: This species is a harbinger of spring that signals the beginning of the season for butterfly enthusiasts. It is most often seen on prairie openings, where its nectars on early spring prairie flowers. Even though adults frequent dry prairie, its larvae almost certainly feed on oak.
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
2014-03-19 | Orange County, California | California | Location Protected | Jim Durbin | 1 |
![]() |
2013-06-11 | Saint Louis County, Minnesota | Minnesota | Location Protected | Jim Durbin | 1 |
![]() |
2013-06-11 | Saint Louis County, Minnesota | Minnesota | Location Protected | Jim Durbin | 1 |
![]() |
2013-06-11 | Saint Louis County, Minnesota | Minnesota | Location Protected | Jim Durbin | 1 |
![]() |
2013-06-11 | Saint Louis County, Minnesota | Minnesota | Location Protected | Jim Durbin | 1 |
![]() |
2012-04-01 | Lucas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Aaron Brees | 1 |
![]() |
2012-04-01 | Lucas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Aaron Brees | 1 |
55017 | 2010-04-29 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 3 |
6809 | 2009-05-09 | Lee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Aaron Brees | 5 |
6808 | 2009-05-03 | Lucas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Aaron Brees | 10 |
6812 | 2009-04-24 | Lucas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Aaron Brees | 12 |
![]() |
2009-04-17 | Lucas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Aaron Brees | 1 |
![]() |
2009-04-17 | Lucas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Aaron Brees | 1 |
![]() |
2006-05-06 | Van Buren County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jim Durbin | 1 |
55016 | 2006-05-02 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 5 |
55007 | 2003-05-03 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
114616 | 2002-05-14 | Jackson County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Chris Edwards | 1 |
114615 | 2001-04-30 | Washington County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Chris Edwards | 1 |
114614 | 1999-05-10 | Van Buren County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Chris Edwards | 1 |
124276 | 1989-05-07 | Linn County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 3 |
![]() |
1989-05-07 | Linn County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
55009 | 1988-04-17 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55008 | 1988-04-16 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55010 | 1987-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55011 | 1987-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55012 | 1987-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55013 | 1962-04-29 | Fremont County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Royer | 1 |
55014 | 1961-05-13 | Muscatine County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | St. Ambrose Univ. | 1 |
55015 | 1961-05-13 | Muscatine County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | St. Ambrose Univ. | 1 |
2967 | 1950-04-30 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2968 | 1950-04-30 | Appanoose County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2969 | 1950-04-30 | Boone County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2970 | 1950-04-30 | Clayton County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2971 | 1950-04-30 | Fremont County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2972 | 1950-04-30 | Henry County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2973 | 1950-04-30 | Johnson County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2974 | 1950-04-30 | Lee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2975 | 1950-04-30 | Linn County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2976 | 1950-04-30 | Madison County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2977 | 1950-04-30 | Mills County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2978 | 1950-04-30 | Muscatine County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2979 | 1950-04-30 | Story County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2980 | 1950-04-30 | Van Buren County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2981 | 1950-04-30 | Warren County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
2982 | 1950-04-30 | Winneshiek County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
107016 | 1938-05-10 | Henry County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | 1 | |
107015 | 1938-04-25 | Henry County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | 1 |