Species Insects & ArthropodsLittle Wood Satyr

Little Wood Satyr

Megisto cymela

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela)

The Little Wood Satyr is a small, dainty brown butterfly with two eyespots on each wing above and below, outlined in yellow. It has a characteristic skipping flight as it moves between patches of shade in forest undergrowth. It is one of the earliest satyrs to emerge in spring across eastern North America.

Habitat
Open woodlands, meadow edges, and clearings
Diet
Larvae: grasses. Adults: tree sap and rotting fruit
How common
Common

Best time to see a Little Wood Satyr

The best time to see a Little Wood Satyr is May–June, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 22,723 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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