Satyrs and Wood-Nymphs (Satyrinae)

The name may be a bit misleading because the group also includes butterflies with hyphenated names such as ringlet, arctic, alpine and pearly eye.

Satyrinae species are fairly easy to identify. Most are medium size with brown or dull color wings. Eye spots are typically prominent on the wings, especially when they are folded.

Worldwide, close to twenty five hundred species have been documented living in a variety of habitats from the tropics to the edges of the Arctic circle. The tendency of Satyrinae caterpillars to feed on types of grass partially explains their adaptability.

Approximately fifty different species, divided into fifteen different genera, can be found in the United States. Half of those species belong to either the Erebia genus, the Alpines, or the Oeneis genus, the Arctics.

Most species have a very limited range. The Common Wood Nymph, top picture, found along roadsides and forests, and in fields and meadows areas around North America, would be an exception to the rule.

The extended range means the physical look of the butterfly often varies from place to place.

Generally it can be characterized as a brown, medium sized butterfly. Eyespots running up and down both wings are visible when the wings are folded.

The caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses, partially explaining the Common Wood Nymph's extended range.

With the exception of coastal areas, Small Wood Nymph butterflies (Cercyonis oetus) occupy space in Western North America.

Often they can be found nectaring on flowers in drier regions, including higher altitude areas.

The two eyespots on the wing seen in a side view on the top picture denotes the female. Males have one eyespot. However, prior to making the call of a male Small Wood Nymph, be sure the bottom wing is not covering a potential second eye spot.

Ringlets (Coenonympha tullia), primarily a western species, also show themselves in New England.

Contrary to their name, not all of them have visible rings or eyespots on the wings.

Wing color also varies from a dull brown to shades of grays and oranges.

Most species can be found in grasslands and meadows, the food source for the caterpillars.

The Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius) is the most widespread of the two Hermeuptychia species found in the United States.

Its range extends from the Mason-Dixon line, south to Southern Florida, and west to the middle of Texas and Oklahoma.

It is a fairly small butterfly that can be found perching on grasses low to the ground.

The eye-spot pattern on the wings serve as a good field identification clue.

The Southern Pearly Eye (Enodia portlandia), a large Southeast swamp species, flies from early spring through late fall.

The larvae feed on Bamboo switch cane.

The Great Arctic (Oeneis nevadensis), one of a handful of Arctic butterfly species, flies in spring and summer in Western North America.

The top of the wings (not shown in the picture) are brown with a black border.

Their larvae feed on a variety of local grasses and require a two year cycle, including hibernation, to pupate.

© 2008-2011 Patricia A. Michaels