Eastern Gemmed-Satyr
ExploreInsects
Eastern Gemmed-Satyr
cyllopsis gemma
The Eastern Gemmed-Satyr (Cyllopsis gemma) is a delightful and subtle resident of the damp, shaded woodlands of the southeastern United States. Often overlooked due to its low, bobbing flight pattern near the forest floor, this small butterfly reveals spectacular hidden beauty upon closer inspection. While its upper wings are a modest, uniform grayish-brown, the underside of its hindwings features a row of metallic, silver-and-gold spots—the 'gems' that give the species its name. Unlike many butterflies that flutter high in the canopy or visit bright flowers, the Eastern Gemmed-Satyr prefers the dim understory, feeding on sap, rotting fruit, and moisture. Its presence is a testament to the health of grassy woodland floors and riparian margins. For quick identification of Eastern Gemmed-Satyr during outdoor trips, download the Snappit app.
Habitat: Found in damp, deciduous woodlands, coastal plains, and riparian corridors, typically near slow-moving streams or swampy margins where host grasses grow.
Appearance
A small butterfly with a wingspan ranging from 3 to 5 cm, the Eastern Gemmed-Satyr exhibits a mostly plain, soft grayish-brown color on its upperside. Its most defining characteristic is on the underside of the hindwing: a prominent row of four or five small, dark, circular spots glistening with metallic silver and gold centers, bordered by a delicate rusty-red or copper line. The underside also displays faint, wavy, reddish-brown lines traversing the wings, helping it blend seamlessly into dead leaves and forest floor debris when resting.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusCyllopsis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its flight is remarkably low and bouncy, rarely rising more than a foot or two above the leaf litter of the forest floor.
The metallic 'gems' on the edges of its hindwings act as a deflective target, tricking predators into attacking the wing margins rather than its vulnerable body.
Unlike most butterflies, the Eastern Gemmed-Satyr rarely visits flowers for nectar, preferring moisture and nutrients from mud, sap, and dung.
Special abilities
Ability
Gemmed Cryptic Camouflage
The intricate, leaf-like patterns on the underside of its wings allow it to disappear completely against the leaf litter when its wings are folded.
Ability
Low-Altitude Flight
It flies in a slow, bouncing manner very close to the ground, navigating through dense grass and undergrowth to evade aerial predators.
Ability
Non-Floral Nutrient Extraction
It has adapted to seek out non-floral sources of moisture and nutrients, utilizing a specialized proboscis to feed on tree sap, dung, and decaying organic matter.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 1+ cm
- Wingspan
- 3+ cm
- Weight
- 0.0001+ kg
- Top Speed
- 8 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 20+
- Incubation
- 4+ days
Diet & Feeding
Adults feed on decaying organic materials like rotting fruit, tree sap, and animal dung, while caterpillars feed exclusively on various grasses.
Age differences: Larvae are strictly herbivorous, feeding on grasses like Bermuda grass, whereas adults transition to a liquid diet of sap, rotting fruit, and dung.
Primary Foods
- Tree sap
- Rotting fruit
- Animal dung
- Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon)
- Carpetgrass (Axonopus)
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
host plant
Bermuda grass
Cynodon dactylon
The caterpillar larvae of the Eastern Gemmed-Satyr feed on the leaves of this grass as their primary food source.
eaten by
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
This small insectivorous bird preys on the caterpillars and adult butterflies of the Eastern Gemmed-Satyr.
eaten by
Green Treefrog
Hyla cinerea
Often sharing the same damp, grassy habitats, this treefrog opportunistically preys on low-flying adults.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Eastern Gemmed-Satyr?
The easiest way to identify Eastern Gemmed-Satyr is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Eastern Gemmed-Satyr?
1+ cm
What is Eastern Gemmed-Satyr's wingspan?
3+ cm
How much does Eastern Gemmed-Satyr weigh?
0.0001+ kg
How fast can Eastern Gemmed-Satyr move?
8 km/h
What does Eastern Gemmed-Satyr eat?
Adults feed on decaying organic materials like rotting fruit, tree sap, and animal dung, while caterpillars feed exclusively on various grasses.
Where is Eastern Gemmed-Satyr usually found?
Found in damp, deciduous woodlands, coastal plains, and riparian corridors, typically near slow-moving streams or swampy margins where host grasses grow.
How does Eastern Gemmed-Satyr hunt?
Foraging
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