# Northern Pearly-eye (*Lethe anthedon*) The Northern Pearly-eye is a beautiful butterfly with big, round eyes on its wings. It loves to flutter around in sunny spots and can be found resting on tree trunks. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Northern Pearly-eye](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Northern_Pearly-eye_-_Lethe_anthedon%252C_Meadowood_Farm_SRMA%252C_Mason_Neck%252C_Virginia_-_28524907924.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Pearly-eye_-_Lethe_anthedon%252C_Meadowood_Farm_SRMA%252C_Mason_Neck%252C_Virginia_-_28524907924.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Pearly-eye has dull brownish-orange wings, with males slightly darker than females. Its defining feature is a row of 3-4 prominent, black, white-ringed eyespots on each hindwing, resembling small pearls. These spots distinguish it from most other woodland butterflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Lethe ## Interesting facts - It loves to sip tree sap and juice from rotting fruit more than flower nectar! - Its caterpillar cleverly hides by rolling up the edges of grass blades. - Only found in North America, often seen fluttering through shady forests. - They are part of the "brush-footed" butterfly family, with tiny front legs! ## Special abilities - **Mimic Eyes:** Northern Pearly-eye has bold eyespots on its wings that help them startle predators, making them hesitate and giving the butterfly time to escape. - **Forest Cloak:** Northern Pearly-eye can blend seamlessly into its woodland home because its dull brown wings perfectly mimic dead leaves or tree bark. - **Erratic Flight:** Northern Pearly-eye can fly with quick, unpredictable zig-zags that make it very difficult for birds and other predators to catch them mid-air. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-60 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-21 days - **Flight Speed:** 8-20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip tree sap and nectar, while caterpillars munch on various leafy grasses. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat grasses, while adults primarily feed on tree sap and rotting fruit. - **Primary Foods:** tree sap, rotting fruit, flower nectar, Kentucky bluegrass, brome grass, sedge - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds prey on adult butterflies and caterpillars. - **Eaten by:** [White-footed mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-footed-mouse) (*Peromyscus leucopus*) — Rodents may eat caterpillars and pupae found on the ground. - **Depends on:** [Kentucky bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Caterpillars feed on leaves of various grasses, including this common species. - **Depends on:** [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sugar-maple) (*Acer saccharum*) — Adults often feed on fermenting sap from wounds in maple trees. ## 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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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 watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Pearly-eye? 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 Northern Pearly-eye's wingspan? 45-60 mm ### How big is Northern Pearly-eye? 20-30 mm ### How long does Northern Pearly-eye live? 7-21 days ### How fast can Northern Pearly-eye fly? 8-20 km/h ### What does Northern Pearly-eye eat? Adults sip tree sap and nectar, while caterpillars munch on various leafy grasses. ### Where is Northern Pearly-eye usually found? Forests ### How does Northern Pearly-eye hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Gary City Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gary-city-center-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District - [Great Falls Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-falls-park) — Virginia, US · National Park - [Hickory Hill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hickory-hill-park) — Iowa, US · Nature Reserve - [Lock and Dam No. 19](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-19) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Shepherdstown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shepherdstown-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Northern Pearly-eye](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-pearly-eye) ## 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: [Northern Pearly-eye: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pearly-eye)