# Little Wood Satyr (*Megisto cymela*) The Little Wood Satyr is a small butterfly that loves to flutter around in the woods. With its brown wings and beautiful patterns, it can be hard to spot, but it's always a delightful surprise when you do! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 59 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Little Wood Satyr](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Little_Wood_Satyr_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Little_Wood_Satyr_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Little Wood Satyr is a small to medium-sized butterfly, typically dull brown or grayish-brown, often with two prominent black eyespots ringed in yellow on each hindwing. Its forewings also feature smaller, less distinct eyespots. The mottled undersides help it blend seamlessly with tree bark and dried leaves. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Euptychia ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillar is nocturnal, munching grass blades under the cover of darkness! - Males release special scents from their wings to find a mate! - These butterflies are one of the very first to flutter in early spring! - They often bask in sunlit patches within shady woodlands! ## Special abilities - **Natural Camouflage:** Little Wood Satyr can disappear by matching its wings to tree bark and leaves, which helps them hide from hungry birds. - **Deceptive Eyespots:** Little Wood Satyr has fake 'eyespots' on its wings that trick predators into aiming at non-vital body parts. - **Erratic Evasion Flight:** Little Wood Satyr can fly with a bouncy, erratic pattern, which helps them evade predators among the trees and dense undergrowth. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 38-50 mm - **Size:** 12-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip tree sap and nectar; young munch on various grasses. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars consume a variety of grasses, while adult butterflies primarily feed on tree sap, nectar, and sometimes rotting fruit. - **Primary Foods:** tree sap, flower nectar, rotting fruit, various grasses (larvae) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-bluebird) (*Sialia sialis*) — Adults are a food source for many insectivorous birds. - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Caterpillars feed on leaves of this and other grasses. - **Pollinates:** Dogbane (*Apocynum cannabinum*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar, aiding in plant reproduction. ## Traits - [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 Always look but don't touch butterflies, as they are delicate and need to be safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Little Wood Satyr? 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 Little Wood Satyr's wingspan? 38-50 mm ### How big is Little Wood Satyr? 12-18 mm ### How long does Little Wood Satyr live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Little Wood Satyr fly? 10 km/h ### What does Little Wood Satyr eat? Adults sip tree sap and nectar; young munch on various grasses. ### Where is Little Wood Satyr usually found? Forests ### How does Little Wood Satyr hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Bloomingdale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloomingdale) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Brattleboro Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brattleboro-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Calico Rock Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calico-rock-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Cape Charles Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-charles-historic-district) — US · Historic District [View all places to see Little Wood Satyr](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/little-wood-satyr) ## 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: [Little Wood Satyr: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-wood-satyr)