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Species
Spotlight

Giant Silk
Moth Survey

DION SKIPPER (Euphyes dion)

Identification
Male is orange above with dark brown borders, black stigma, and orange ray on hindwing. Female is mostly brown above with pale orange spots on forewing and orange ray on hindwing. Both are brownish-orange to brick red underneath with two pale yellowish rays extending out from the base. The upper ray is shorter and does not reach the margin.

Massachusetts Butterfly Club photographs

Kaufman's Butterflies of North America, page 334
Glassberg's Butterflies Through Binoculars, plate 66

Habitat in Vermont
Sedge wetlands; often with Mulberry Wing and Black Dash.

Host Plant
Sedges (Carex lacustris, C. stricta) and rushes (Scirpus cyperinus)

Adult Food Preferences
Nectar from flowers of Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum), and others.

U.S. Distribution

VBS Distribution


VBS Flight Period


Notes
This Euphyes skipper tends to be shy and somewhat elusive — and quite rare in Vermont. While you’re standing in a sedge wetland, look for a largish skipper perched on a sedge
with soft markings below that resemble pale rays. This skipper can be a strong flier, especially over short distances. Males perch in marshes generally in the afternoon looking for females; have been seen patrolling in the morning on occasion.

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