Little Wood Satyr

Here's the 1st Little Wood Satyr I photographed this season. Though there is a perception that "butterflies are colorful" and "moths are drab looking", the truth is more complicated. Though satyrs/nymphs like this Little Wood Satyr may have neat looking eyespots (those spots on the wings that might fool predators into thinking they're eyes), you can't really call them colorful. And there are certainly some moths more colorful than this. Skippers are another group of butterflies that are generally earth-toned. (I've talked a little about the butterfly/moth distinction here, and Little Wood Satyrs here.)

These butterflies are pretty widespread; though this one was found at the Plainsboro Preserve, I've also seen them at Murray Hill, Washington Valley Park, Duke Farms, Fairview Farm, and other wooded places.

June 1, 2022 at the Plainsboro Preserve
Photo 205019765, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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