Common Wood-Nymph

(Cercyonis pegala)

Common Wood-Nymph sightings by week

Common Wood-Nymph sightings, by week (about)

Common Wood-NymphClick to enlarge

Rocky Run Oak Savanna SNA, Columbia Co., WI, June 30, 2004.

Common Wood-NymphClick to enlarge

Lodi Marsh SNA, Dane Co., WI, July 30, 2005.

Common Wood-NymphClick to enlarge

Mecan Discovery Center, Marquette Co., WI, July 20, 2002.

Common Wood-NymphClick to enlarge

Hamerstrom Preserve, Plainfield, Waushara Co., WI, July 24, 2003.

Common Wood-NymphClick to enlarge

Muir Lake SNA, Marquette Co., WI, July 7, 2005.

This is by far the most common butterfly in the state on a regular basis. From 2004–2007 they were seen on all but one NABA count and an average of more than 1000 butterflies per year were observed during these counts. At Jersey Flats in the Northern Kettle Moraine we have seen more than 200 of this species on a regular basis in the last five years. Unlike the Monarchs and other showy butterflies this species is not seen far from its natural habitat, and its lack of color makes it less conspicuous than other butterfly species.

Identifying characteristics: Below, this brown butterfly has two large eyespots on the forewing surrounded by a yellow ring while the hindwing has a variable number of visible eyespots. Note the six obvious ones, smaller than those in the forewing, in the top photo and the lack of those in the second photo. The upper wings are brown with two eyespots on the forewing, but these are rarely seen in the field. I have not seen it in Wisconsin, but in Michigan and Illinois a variant occurs that has the yellow surrounding the eyespots on the forewing larger and connected, so that it is a yellow patch with two darker eyespots within it.

Similar species: None in Wisconsin.

Habitat: Grasslands and open fields near woodlands. Prairie restorations are often hot spots for this species.

Flight: One brood from late June and often into early September.

Abundance: This is the most abundant of the satyrs in Wisconsin and is to be expected throughout the state in July.

Recent Common Wood-Nymph Sightings

Date seenCountyReported by
YesterdayOzaukeeKevin Brown
YesterdayIowaAnn Thering and Dave Eide
YesterdayWoodRon Arnold
YesterdayBayfieldRyan Brady
YesterdayPortageWayne Anderson
FridayOutagamiePatty Hankey
WednesdayMarinetteMike Reese
TuesdayMarinetteAdrian Konell
MondayGreen LakeMike Reese
07–12–2008IowaSWBA Field Trip, 18 participants
07–12–2008OzaukeeJudith Huf
07–12–2008OzaukeeJudith Huf
07–12–2008WoodRon Arnold
07–11–2008MilwaukeeJudith Huf
07–10–2008DaneAnn Thering
07–09–2008CrawfordMike Reese
07–09–2008WashingtonMike Kirch
07–09–2008DaneAnn Thering
07–08–2008RockTom Poklen
07–08–2008DaneTom Poklen
07–08–2008WausharaMike Reese
07–06–2008ColumbiaMike Reese
07–06–2008DaneJoan Braune, Tod Highsmith and Mary Dykstra
07–04–2008MarquetteMike Reese
07–04–2008IowaAnn Thering and Dave Eide
07–04–2008DaneJoan Braune and Tod Highsmith
07–04–2008SaukWayne Anderson
07–03–2008WoodRon Arnold, Ann Thering, Mike Reese
06–30–2008DaneAnn Thering

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distribution of Common Wood-Nymph
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Common Wood-Nymph
Cercyonis pegala