Black Dash
Female - July 2023
The Black Dash (Euphyes conspicua) is a rusty gold-brown grass skipper with a patch of yellow markings in the center of the hindwing. Their wing fringe is lighter than the somewhat similar Mulberry Wing, and they also have pointier forewings by comparison.
Male - July 2023
Dorsal side markings on males are quite distinct and helpful in separating the species from Mulberry Wings which have solid black on the upper side and darker wing fringe. Note also the namesake “black dash” near the center of the orange portion of the inner forewing. Female Black Dashes have bolder white spotting on dark wings as compared with subtler markings on female Mulberry Wings.
Female - July 2023
I found these Black Dash skippers in their preferred habitat, a wet meadow with partial shade cover and lots of nectar sources around. All the grass skippers in this area were loving the fresh Common Milkweed blooms. It was fun trying to find my first Black Dash among the 8 or more Mulberry Wings that look similar with quick views.
July 2023
You can compare this view of a Black Dash with closed wings from above to the image I have of a Mulberry Wing from the same angle and see how similar the look!!
July 2023
In my experience, this species is quite rare, only occurring in northern New Jersey in locations that are challenging to reach. They can show up from early June through late August and this group was observed in mid-July.
Male - July 2023
This image was one of my last looks at a Black Dash back in 2023 as it very briefly perched on a Common Milkweed leaf before disappearing back into the meadow.
