Wingspan: 2.3-3.1 cm.
Flight time: Bivoltine, with a spring brood from late April to mid May, and a summer brood from late June to late July. A partial third brood may occasionally occur in mid to late August.
Status: Infrequent breeding resident.
Distinguishing features: This species and the Wild Indigo Duskwing differ from other Iowa Erynnis by having very small clear spots on the forewing, and by lacking dark brown mottling over both upper wing surfaces. Distinguishing these two species is quite problematic, however. Columbine Duskywings are often smaller and lighter brown than Wild Indigo Duskywings, but intermediate individuals are frequently encountered. Apparently no genitalic differences exist (Burns 1964). The only consistent feature, which can be used to separate them, is their choice of larval hosts, with Columbine Duskywings eating only Columbine (Aquilega canadensis) and Wild Indigo Duskywings eating only Wild Indigo (Baptisia spp.) or Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia).
Distribution and habitat: .The Columbine Duskywing is generally limited to the northeastern tier of counties. Individuals have also been noted from the Des Moines River valley in the 1960's. This species is limited to dry prairies that support Columbine, often limestone or sandstone glades on south or west-facing slopes. Interestingly, this species has never been observed in the more typical woodland habitat for Columbine.
Natural History: As noted above, larvae for this species only consume Columbine. Populations may be limited to glades as these sites are sunnier, and may provide more nectar, than woodlands. Individuals from the spring brood are darker than individuals from the summer brood.
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
254968 | 2018-07-09 | Polk County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | IBSN | 1 |
254967 | 2017-07-28 | Jasper County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | IBSN | 7 |
131345 | 2015-07-22 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
131133 | 2015-07-09 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
145063 | 2015-06-15 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Kyle E. Johnson | 1 |
145064 | 2015-06-15 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Kyle E. Johnson | 1 |
138418 | 2015-05-17 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138415 | 2015-05-11 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138416 | 2015-05-11 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138417 | 2015-05-11 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138405 | 2015-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138406 | 2015-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138407 | 2015-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138408 | 2015-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138409 | 2015-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138410 | 2015-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138411 | 2015-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138412 | 2015-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138413 | 2015-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
138414 | 2015-05-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
145060 | 2015-05-07 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Kyle E. Johnson | 1 |
145061 | 2015-05-07 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Kyle E. Johnson | 1 |
145062 | 2015-05-07 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Kyle E. Johnson | 1 |
64833 | 2014-07-04 | Polk County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | IBSN | 1 |
55105 | 2012-04-08 | Warren County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
246621 | 2011-07-09 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
55115 | 2010-04-29 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 3 |
141291 | 2007-08-09 | Story County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | IBSN | 2 |
55120 | 2007-07-22 | Winneshiek County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
107051 | 2007-07-22 | Winneshiek County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
55114 | 2006-05-02 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 3 |
55099 | 1995-07-28 | Jackson County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
144385 | 1991-08-18 | Linn County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
107043 | 1989-09-02 | Mills County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Tim Orwig | 1 |
55104 | 1989-08-16 | Clinton County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Tim Orwig | 1 |
55102 | 1988-04-30 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55118 | 1988-04-30 | Muscatine County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
55097 | 1987-09-07 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55119 | 1987-08-15 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
107050 | 1987-07-18 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
55116 | 1987-07-14 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
55117 | 1987-07-14 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
107044 | 1987-07-12 | Jones County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
55096 | 1987-07-10 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55101 | 1987-07-07 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
107046 | 1987-07-07 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
107047 | 1987-07-07 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
107045 | 1987-07-02 | Jones County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
55103 | 1987-06-30 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55111 | 1987-06-26 | Clayton County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Matt Schlicht | 1 |
55095 | 1987-05-14 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
107048 | 1987-05-14 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
107049 | 1987-05-14 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
55113 | 1987-05-12 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55098 | 1987-04-26 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
55100 | 1987-04-26 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
55112 | 1987-04-19 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J. Nehuevaj | 1 |
55106 | 1986-07-22 | Clayton County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
55109 | 1986-07-22 | Clayton County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
55110 | 1986-07-22 | Clayton County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
55108 | 1986-05-09 | Clayton County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Burrows | 1 |
55107 | 1984-08-10 | Clayton County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Doug Nauman | 1 |
3042 | 1950-05-01 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3043 | 1950-05-01 | Boone County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3044 | 1950-05-01 | Clayton County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3045 | 1950-05-01 | Clinton County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3046 | 1950-05-01 | Fayette County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3047 | 1950-05-01 | Jackson County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3048 | 1950-05-01 | Jones County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3049 | 1950-05-01 | Muscatine County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3050 | 1950-05-01 | Polk County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3051 | 1950-05-01 | Winneshiek County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |