Female Little GlassywingEnlarge

Closed wingEnlarge

 

Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)

These delightful butterflies get their name from the transparent spots on their wings. They are dark brown in color with a purple tint on the underside of the wings. They are quick fliers and are not common visitors to typical butterfly gardens. To attract these lovely fliers, a prairie garden would be ideal. They prefer purple, pink, and white flowers and occasionally yellow. Usually around noon is when the courtships begin, the males will wait on low vegetation until the females arrive. These are lovely butterflies to observe in wildflower gardens.

Family: Skipper (Hesperiidae)

Subfamily: Grass Skipper (Hesperiinae)

Average Wingspan: 1" - 1 1/4"

Habitat: Fields, meadows, prairies

Similar To: Northern Broken Dash

Plants That Attract This Butterfly

• Nectar Plants (What is this?)
  Common Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed , Joe-Pye weed, Dogbane*
  
• Host Plants (What is this?)
  Purple Top Grass*

* May not be available for purchase at your local nursery.

Note: Always check a plant's Hardiness Zone to make sure it will grow in your area. (What Is My Hardiness Zone?)

Where To Buy Plants

Butterfly Flight Range Map

Photo Credits:
Female (open wing) - Fred Miller
Female (closed wing) - Fred Miller