Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela)

Description: This is a small grayish-brown butterfly with small bold eyespots. On the upperside both the fore and hindwings have two widely spaced black eyespots, each typically with tiny silver spots in the center and a yellowish-brown rim. On the underside both the forewing and hindwing have two large and several smaller eyespots. These large eyespots are widely spaced and also have two small silver spots at their center and a yellowish-brown rim. Wingspan: 29 to 42 mm.

Maritime Distribution: Widespread in New Brunswick, Cumberland County in Nova Scotia and only recently reported from Prince Edward Island. For Atlas results click here.

Provincial Ranks: NB: S5. NS: S3. PEI: S4.

Flight Period: Early June to mid July.

Host Plant: A variety of grasses including Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata) and Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis).

Notes: The Little Wood Satyr has recently undergone rapid range expansion in the Maritimes. It colonized most of New Brunswick since the early 1990’s. It was first detected in Nova Scotia around 2005 and Prince Edward Island in 2007. The species typically flies in and around deciduous forest. It is often seen perched on leaves in the forest understory.