• Butterflies
• Dragonflies
• Damselflies
• Tiger beetles
• Hike with Mike

• The butterflies:
• Brushfooted Butterflies
  • Snouts
  • Heliconians and Fritillaries
  • True Brushfoots
  • Admirals and Relatives
  • Leafwings
  • Emperors
  • Satyrs
  • Monarchs
• Satyrs
  • Northern Pearly-eye
  • Eyed Brown
  • Smoky Eyed Brown
  • Appalachian Brown
  • Little Wood-Satyr
  • Common Ringlet
  • Common Wood-Nymph
  • Red-disked Alpine
  • Chryxus Arctic
  • Jutta Arctic

Little Wood-Satyr

(Megisto cymela)

It is always a pleasure to see the first individuals of this species, low to the ground, slowly working their way through the woods in late May or early June. This species is often still present in the July NABA counts so it seems like the beginning of the real summer species.

Identifying characteristics: Above, a brown butterfly, smaller than the Eyed and Appalachian Browns, with two prominent eyespots on the forewing and on the hindwing there is usually one or two eyespots on the male and two on the female. In addition, there may be an additional smaller one near the body. Below, there are two distinct lines across both wings, two eyespots on the forewing and two large ones on the hindwing as well as several smaller ones.

Similar species: None in Wisconsin, although a beginner may have some confusion with the Northern Pearly-eye and the Appalachian and Eyed Browns. These other species are larger, found later in the season, and usually are stronger fliers compared to the Little Wood-Satyrs slow methodical flight, low through the woods.

Habitat: A variety of woodland habitats including wooded fence rows and disturbed habitats.

Flight: One brood form late May to early June through early August.

Abundance: At its peak this species may be abundant with over 100 not an uncommon count total.

Recent Little Wood-Satyr Sightings

Date seen	County	Reported by
Saturday	Juneau	Mike Reese
08–07–2008	Iowa	Mike Reese
08–03–2008	Bayfield	Ryan Brady
08–01–2008	Door	Tom Poklen

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