Common Wood-nymph

The Common Wood-nymph (Cercyonis pegala) is cocoa brown with a rectangular yellow patch enclosing a large blackish eyespot on the forewing. Variations in coloration commonly occur.

It is found in Southern Canada and the continental United States; rarer in the Southwest U.S. and Texas, southern Florida, and northern Maine.

The Common Wood-nymph can often be found in overgrown fields, woodlands, prairies and along roads.

Wing spread: 2.0" - 3.0"

Host Plants: Grasses, wild oats, purpletop, bluestem species

Common Wood-nymph Life Cycle Stages and Times

Common Wood-nymph Butterfly (dorsal view)

Common Wood-nymph Butterfly (ventral view)

Photos by and courtesy of Alan Schmierer