New Jersey Butterfly Club

Common Sootywing

(Pholisora catullus)

Identification: Very small—1”. Sexes similar. Above: FW and HW black with many tiny white spots on outer FW (and on top of head). Below: FW and HW dark brown. FW shows prominent white “bracelet,” HW unmarked.

NJ Status and Distribution: Resident. Uncommon in the north but more common and widespread in the southern counties.

Habitat: Mainly open, sunny, disturbed habitats such as the edges of agricultural fields where its food plant grows.

Flight Period: Two or three broods, peaking May into June, and July into August, with a smaller brood from late August into September. Extreme dates: North Jersey 5/22—9/22; South Jersey 4/14-10/9.

Caterpillar Food Plants: Mainly Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), which is the commonest Chenopodium in NJ, but possibly other species in this genus as well.

Overwintering Stage: Caterpillar.

Good Locations: Just about any open, disturbed, habitat throughout the state.

Comments: This very small, dark butterfly is easily missed as it flies weakly near the ground through obscuring vegetation. Partial to dry sandy or loamy soils where its host plant thrives. Occupies the same habitat as the similar Hayhurst's Scallopwing, which lacks white spots on top of head, and has gold and silver flecking on uppersides.