The Common Buckeye is immediately recognizable by the large, staring eyespots on its brown wings, which are used to startle and deter predators. Males are highly territorial and perch on bare ground or low vegetation, darting out to investigate passing insects. It migrates southward in fall from northern parts of its range.
Best time to see a Common Buckeye
The best time to see a Common Buckeye is June–October, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 130,965 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Common Buckeye? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Common Buckeye sightings near you
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