Birds of Oklahoma
Butterflies of Oklahoma

 

Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela)

Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela)  
County State Date

County

State Date
Oklahoma OK 05/2007

Oklahoma

OK 05/2005

Wing span: 1 1/2 - 1 7/8 inches (3.8 - 4.8 cm).

Identification: Light brown. Forewing has 2 yellow-rimmed black eyespots both above and below. Hindwing has 2 eyespots on upper side; but may have smaller spots below.

Life history: In the early morning and late afternoon, Little Wood Satyrs bask with their wings open while perched on tree leaves or on leaf litter. Adults have a slow bouncing flight and will rise as far as the tops of tall trees. Males patrol in the shade to find females. Eggs are laid singly on grass blades. Fourth-stage caterpillars hibernate.

Flight: One brood from June-July in the north; two to three broods from March-September in the south.

Caterpillar hosts: Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) and centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides).

Adult food: Sap, aphid honeydew, and rarely flower nectar.

Habitat: Grassy woods and openings, old fields; especially in limey or basic soils.

Range: Eastern Nebraska and northeastern Colorado south to eastern Texas; east through all of the eastern United States except northern New England, southern peninsular Florida, and coastal Louisiana.

 



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