COMMON WOODNYMPH

Cercyonis pegala

BRUSHFOOT FAMILY  (Nymphalidae)

This large brown Satyr has a wingspan of approximately 2 to 2 7/8 inches. The coloration is variable, with some individuals being all brown dorsally with small dark eyespots while others have the forewing eyespots surrounded by a large yellowish area.  Ventrally, the forewing is dark brown with 2 yellow-rimmed large eyespots with blue pupils, and the hindwing is dark brown with 6 smaller black eyespots.  The female is usually larger and paler than the male with larger eyespots. The antennae have elongated, slender orange clubs.  The caterpillar is about  2 inches in length.  It is green with darker green stripes running the length of the body. It has fine fuzzy hair and two short pink-tipped tails extending from the tip of the abdomen.  The round head and large size distinguish this caterpillar from other satyrs.

These butterflies are commonly seen around prairies flying low through the grass from mid summer to fall.  They are more common at Neale Woods around the prairies, but can sometimes be seen at Fontenelle Forest.  They drink sap and eat rotting fruit, but can also occasionally be seen nectaring at flowers.

The adult butterflies emerge in June and July, but do not lay eggs until the end of summer.  The larva overwinters shortly after hatching as an unfed first instar.  The foodplants of the larva are various grasses including beard grass, bluegrass, oat grass and purple-top.