Wild indigo duskywing
Erynnis baptisiae
Butterfly
The wild indigo duskywing is a brown skipper whose larvae use wild indigos and related legumes, especially Baptisia. Caterpillars fold or tie host leaves into shelters and pupal nests, so tidy removal of host foliage can remove the insect as surely as pesticide. It is also one of the species that has adapted to some introduced legumes, but native Baptisia patches remain the most useful garden-facing host.
Plants in the catalog
Larval host plants · 1
NC State documents wild indigo duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae) as a Baptisia-associated larval host on blue false indigo.
Range
Eastern and central North America, especially where wild indigo, lupine, crown-vetch, or other usable legume host patches occur.
Sources & citations
Cite this page
Use this citation for the Plotwright wildlife page. The source cards below show the upstream references behind the taxonomy, range, conservation, host, forage, and habitat claims.
Plotwright. (n.d.). Wild indigo duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae). Retrieved 2026, June 27, from https://plotwright.com/wildlife/erynnis-baptisiae
Sources for wildlife facts
7 cited fact fields are backed by the source cards below.
BAMONA: Wild Indigo Duskywing Erynnis baptisiae
Species profile used for range, host plants, and lifecycle context.
Backs 4 fields
Taxonomy
Range
Lifecycle
Host plants
BugGuide: Erynnis baptisiae
Identification and host-plant cross-check for wild indigo duskywing.
Backs 3 fields
Taxonomy
Range
Host plants