New Jersey Butterfly Club

Little Wood-Satyr

Megisto cymela

Identification: Small—1.6” (a little smaller than Cabbage White). Above: FW and HW grayish-brown, slightly darker basally. FW with 2 medium-sized black eyespots bordered by pale yellow, HW with one to several similar eyespots of varying size. Below: FW and HW lighter brown, each wing with 2 large, black, eyespots surrounded by pale yellow. The spotband on both wings may also include two or more smaller eyespots and small spots of metallic silver. Two narrow, dark lines cross each wing.

NJ Status and Distribution: Resident. Common and widespread throughout, especially the first brood.

Habitat: Moist, grassy fields (including hayfields), especially near wood edges. Rarely nectars.

Flight Period: Mid-May through August with a pronounced peak from mid-May to mid-June, and a lesser one late June to mid-July. The narrow gap between these two peaks suggests that the second peak may represent a delayed emergence or possibly even a separate species. Extreme dates: North Jersey 5/11—10/7; South Jersey 5/6—8/31.

Caterpillar Food Plants: Grasses, including Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata) and Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis).

Overwintering Stage: Caterpillar.

Good Locations: Grassy fields just about anywhere.

Comments: This species, like other satyrs, has a relatively weak but bouncy flight within, or just over the top of, dense herbaceous vegetation.