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
Stage | Typical Duration |
Egg stage | 6 to 20 days |
Caterpillar (larval) stage | 3 to 4 weeks |
Chrysalis (pupal) stage | 10 to 16 days |
Adult butterfly stage | 6 to 14 days |
Common Wood-nymph Butterfly (dorsal view) |
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Common Wood-nymph Butterfly (ventral view) |
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