Common Sootywing

Pholisora catullus

This species is a fairly regular immigrant to Wisconsin. I had only seen this species once where I live in Waushara County, and believed that this species was an uncommon migrant, but I have seen this species nearly every year in the southern part of the state since 2003.

Identifying characteristics

This species is a very dark, blackish-brown skipper with many small white spots on the wings that can be seen from above and below. This species flies very close to the ground, often in parking lots or gravel roadsides, and when it lands it is often seen hunkered down, as in the third image, without spreading its wings fully.

Similar species

None in Wisconsin.

Habitat

Old fields, disturbed areas, gravel parking lots, and roadsides. It larval host plants are weedy species including Lamb’s-quarters (Chenopodium album).

Flight

This species has two broods farther south and could be expected in Wisconsin from May to September.

Abundance

A fairly regular immigrant to Wisconsin from farther south. This species is usually found in small groups.

Early Common Sootywing Sightings

Date	County	Reported by
Apr 24, 2012	Grant	Karl and Dorothy Legler
May 15, 2012	La Crosse	Daniel Jackson
May 15, 2012	Dane	Ann Thering
May 18, 2017	Sauk	Fred Dike
May 19, 2006	Iowa	Todd Sima

Locations