# Common Wood-Nymph (*Cercyonis pegala*) The Common Wood-Nymph is a beautiful butterfly with soft brown wings and lovely eye spots. They flutter around in sunny spots and love to rest on flowers and leaves. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Common Wood-Nymph](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cercyonis_pegala_295055531.jpg&width=800) Photo: Leila Dasher, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cercyonis_pegala_295055531.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Wood-Nymph is a medium-sized butterfly, typically dull brown or tan with a distinctive dark eyespot, sometimes two, on each forewing. Its hindwings are plain, allowing it to blend seamlessly with dry leaves or bark. Its drab colors make it look like a dead leaf, helping it hide. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Cercyonis ## Interesting facts - Adults usually only fly when the sun is shining, often hiding on cloudy or rainy days. - Their caterpillars spend winter tucked away, waiting for spring to munch on fresh grass! - Their wings are covered in thousands of tiny, colorful scales, like living mosaics! - Unlike many butterflies, they prefer walking through grass more than flying long distances. ## Special abilities - **Disguise Master:** Common Wood-Nymph has drab, irregular wing patterns that help them blend perfectly with tree bark or dead leaves to hide from predators. - **False Eyes:** Common Wood-Nymph has large, round 'eyespots' on its wings that can startle or misdirect predators, giving them a chance to escape. - **Nectar Sipper:** Common Wood-Nymph can sip sweet nectar using its long, straw-like proboscis, which helps them refuel their energy quickly. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-65 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-21 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while their young caterpillars munch on fresh grasses. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) feed on various grasses, while adults drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, Poa pratensis, Andropogon gerardi, Elymus repens - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Caterpillars munch on its leaves. - **Depends on:** Black-eyed Susan (*Rudbeckia hirta*) — Adults sip its sweet nectar. - **Hunts:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Birds may prey on butterflies. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle creatures. It's best to watch them without touching. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Wood-Nymph? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Common Wood-Nymph's wingspan? 45-65 mm ### How big is Common Wood-Nymph? 20-30 mm ### How long does Common Wood-Nymph live? 10-21 days ### How fast can Common Wood-Nymph fly? 12 km/h ### What does Common Wood-Nymph eat? Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while their young caterpillars munch on fresh grasses. ### Where is Common Wood-Nymph usually found? Forests ### How does Common Wood-Nymph hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Calico Rock Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calico-rock-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Cut Bank Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cut-bank-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Willowwood Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/willowwood-arboretum) — New Jersey, US · Botanical Garden - [Mount Nord Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-nord-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nathan-and-olive-boone-homestead-state-historic-site) — Missouri, US · Nature Reserve - [Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parfreys-glen-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park [View all places to see Common Wood-Nymph](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-wood-nymph) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Common Wood-Nymph: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-wood-nymph)