• 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

Eyed Brown

(Satyrodes eurydice eurydice)

The Eyed Brown is a common species of wet meadows throughout the state. The Eyed Brown is often seen lazily working its way through the tall grasses and sedges, rarely in a hurry or flying above the vegetation, even when disturbed. On a Trempealeau NABA count in 2002 we counted 74 of this species, but the number is limited only because the moist tall grasslands where it is found isn’t the easiest stuff to walk through, especially on a muggy, 90 degree day. Its cousin the Appalachian Brown is very similar, but resides mainly in woodlands or woodland edges. Where a woodland trail does go near an open marshland, these two species can be found flying together and provide a lot of fun for the butterfly watcher to differentiate.

Identifying characteristics: Above, the Eyed Brown is a brown butterfly with a lighter area toward the margin where the eyespots located. The forewing eyespots are smaller and less prominent than the hindwing spots. As the butterfly ages and wears, it becomes lighter and lighter, so that worn individuals look almost white. Below, this species has prominent eyespots each with a light center surrounded by four other circles. Not all the circles are complete, especially on the forewing. The postmedian lines on both the forewing and hindwing are very jagged, with a prominent pointed “V” (see the second photo from the top for a diagram showing this field mark). The post basal line usually is not smooth and has a jog at the second vein.

Similar species: The Appalachian Brown is very similar, but has smoother post median lines with no jagged “V-shaped” mark and also a straighter post basal line. I have never seen an Appalachian Brown in the open marsh, but I have seen Eyed Browns in woodland edges near open marshlands, flying together with Appalachian Browns.

Habitat: Open marshland and wet meadows throughout Wisconsin.

Flight: One brood. Flies from late June through August. Individuals found in August are usually very worn and much lighter

Abundance: Occasionally very common in large open, wet grasslands.

Recent Eyed Brown Sightings

Date seen	County	Reported by
Tuesday	Green Lake	Thomas Schultz
Saturday	Bayfield	Ryan Brady
08–01–2008	Door	Tom Poklen
07–29–2008	Door	Tom Poklen
07–27–2008	Wood	Ron Arnold
07–26–2008	Marquette	Mike Reese, David Reese
07–26–2008	Waukesha	SWBA, Prairie Enthusiasts and Madison Audubon Field Trip - Rich Henderson & Karl and Dorothy Legler, leaders -17 partici
07–24–2008	Buffalo	Marcie O’Connor, Dave Hanson, Mike Reese
07–20–2008	Dane	Jorgen Goderstad
07–20–2008	Bayfield	Ryan Brady
07–19–2008	Wood	Ron Arnold
07–19–2008	Bayfield	Ryan Brady
07–19–2008	Ozaukee	Kevin Brown

Submit a Eyed Brown sighting »