About Pholisora libya (Scudder, 1878)
Hesperopsis libya, commonly known as the Mojave sootywing, Mohave sootywing, Great Basin sootywing, or Lena sooty wing, is a butterfly species in the family Hesperiidae. Its scientific name is also referenced as Pholisora libya (Scudder, 1878). This butterfly is found in North America, ranging from eastern Oregon east to Montana, and south to southern California, Arizona, and northwestern Mexico including Baja California. It inhabits alkalai flats, sagebrush desert, desert hills, shale barrens, watercourses, and ravines. The wingspan of adults is 22 to 32 mm. The number of annual generations and adult flight periods varies by region: in North Dakota and Montana, there is one generation per year with adults active from July to August; in Colorado, there are two generations with adults on wing from June to August; and in California, multiple generations occur with adults active from March to October. Adult H. libya feed on flower nectar. The larvae feed on the leaves of Atriplex canescens and Atriplex confertifolia, and live in nests made of leaves tied together with silk.
