Little wood satyr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little wood satyr |
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The little wood satyr (scientific name: Megisto cymela) is a type of butterfly. It belongs to the Satyrinae family. You can find these butterflies in North America.
About the Little Wood Satyr
Adult Butterflies These butterflies have a wingspan of about 29 to 48 millimeters. That's roughly the size of a large coin to a small credit card. Their wings are mostly light brown.
Each front wing has two black spots that look like eyes. These "eyespots" have yellow rings around them. You can see them on both the top and bottom sides of the wings. The back wings also have two spots on the top. The spots on the bottom of the back wings are usually smaller.
Caterpillars The caterpillar of the little wood satyr is light greenish-brown. It has a dark line down its back. There are also brown and yellowish stripes along its sides. The caterpillar's body has small bumps. These bumps have short, reddish-brown hairs. Its head is a dull white color. The hairs on its tail are light gray.
This butterfly is part of a group often found in warmer, tropical areas. You can usually spot them in forests. They like to fly along the edges of woods. They also enjoy open areas filled with bushes, like along forest roads. Sometimes, they are seen in grassy spots between patches of trees.
The little wood satyr flies close to the ground. It twists and turns through grasses, small trees, and bushes. Even though they look like slow flyers, they can be tricky to catch! These butterflies prefer places that are open. They like areas with deciduous trees, marshy spots, and plenty of bushy cover.
Where They Live
Little wood satyrs are found in eastern parts of the United States. They also live in southeastern Canada. Their range stretches from Nova Scotia in the north down to Florida in the south. To the west, they can be seen in Texas, Saskatchewan, and Wyoming. As their name suggests, they are most often found in woods and areas with shrubs.
Life Cycle
Adult little wood satyr butterflies fly at different times of the year. In the northern areas where they live, you can see them flying between June and July. In warmer, southern areas, they fly for a longer period, from March to September.
Adults have a slow, "bouncing" way of flying. However, they can fly high up, even to the tops of tall trees. Female butterflies lay their eggs one by one on grass. The caterpillars grow through different stages, called instars. When they reach their fourth instar, they stop growing and spend the winter resting.
What Larvae Eat
- Dactylis glomerata (Orchardgrass)
- Poa pratensis (Kentucky Bluegrass)
- Eremochloa ophiuroides (Centipedegrass)
What Adults Eat
