Little Wood-Satyr

(Megisto cymela)

Little Wood-Satyr sightings by week

Little Wood-Satyr sightings, by week (about)

Little Wood-SatyrClick to enlarge

Sandhill Wildlife Area, Wood Co., WI, July 6, 2003.

Little Wood-SatyrClick to enlarge

Sandhill Wildlife Area, Wood Co., WI, July 6, 2003 (same individual as the photo above).

Little Wood-SatyrClick to enlarge

Plainfield TriCounty School Forest, Waushara Co., WI, June 8, 2002.

Little Wood-SatyrClick to enlarge

Germania Marsh, Marquette Co., WI, June 29, 2002.

Little Wood-SatyrClick to enlarge

Cedar Springs Fishery Area, Waushara Co., WI, July 5, 2004. Captured by a robber fly.

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 seenCountyReported by
YesterdayPortageWayne Anderson
YesterdayBayfieldRyan Brady
WednesdayMarinetteMike Reese
07–12–2008OzaukeeJudith Huf
07–12–2008BayfieldRyan Brady
07–11–2008MilwaukeeJudith Huf
07–09–2008WashingtonMike Kirch
07–09–2008DaneAnn Thering
07–08–2008DaneTom Poklen
07–08–2008WausharaMike Reese
07–06–2008ColumbiaMike Reese
07–06–2008BayfieldRyan Brady
07–04–2008SaukWayne Anderson
07–04–2008MarquetteMike Reese
07–04–2008IowaAnn Thering and Dave Eide
07–04–2008OcontoRose Tiegs
07–04–2008DaneJoan Braune and Tod Highsmith
07–03–2008WoodRon Arnold, Ann Thering, Mike Reese
07–01–2008MilwaukeeJudith Huf
07–01–2008PriceMike Reese
07–01–2008BayfieldMike Reese
07–01–2008DaneAnn Thering
06–30–2008DaneAnn Thering
06–30–2008DaneAnn Thering
06–30–2008MilwaukeeJudith Huf

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distribution of Little Wood-Satyr
Map key

Little Wood-Satyr
Megisto cymela