Learn what a common wood nymph butterfly looks like and where to spot one. Also learn about this butterfly's host plants and habitat.
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What Does a Common Wood Nymph Butterfly Look Like?
The common wood nymph (Cercyonis pegala) is one of the satyr butterflies, also known as browns. This medium sized butterfly is plain dusty gray brown in color. A closer look reveals two yellow-rimmed eyespots on the upperside of the forewing and several smaller eyespots on the lower hindwing.
Butterflies in southern and coastal regions of the U.S. are typically larger in size, with a yellowish patch on the outer part of the forewing. This wing patch is less noticeable or missing on inland and northern butterflies.
“This dull gray butterfly looks so beautiful when you get a closer view,” says Birds & Blooms reader Nina Koch.
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What Do Common Wood Nymph Butterflies Eat?
Adult satyr butterflies feed on rotting fruit, tree sap and flower nectar.
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Wood Nymph Caterpillar and Host Plants
In late summer, female butterflies lay eggs singly on native grasses, including purpletop tridens, a common field grass with purple spikes and sticky upper stems.
Eggs hatch before the first frost. However, the caterpillars do not feed right away, instead overwintering in this stage. The caterpillar is green with narrow stripes, fine hairs and a round head.
Longer days and warmer temperatures in late spring urge the wood nymph caterpillars to emerge from hibernation and begin feeding on their host plants.
Range and Habitat
Look for these butterflies in southern Canada and across much of the continental United States, except for parts of the Southwest and Texas, southern peninsular Florida, and northern Maine. They prefer large, open grassy areas including prairies, meadows, and old shrubby fields.
Next, discover fascinating butterfly facts you didn’t know.
