ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Butterflies and Skippers - Common Wood Nymph

 Common Wood Nymph


Photo by Richard Day/Daybreak Imagery 		The color of the wood nymph's wings allow it to blend in beautifully with the bark of trees, camouflaging it from predators.

Common Wood Nymph
Cercyonis pegala

At-a-Glance

• Flight Period: May - July

• Wings: 1.89 - 2.99 in

Description
Two forms of this species occur in Ohio. Southern and central Ohio populations have adults with a lot of yellow around the "eye spots" of the forewings. More northern populations have no yellow on the forewings. Interesting intermediate forms with varying amounts of yellow are found in populations north of Columbus; however, there is no sharp north-south line of transition between the two forms.

Habitat and Habits
The common wood nymph inhabits old fields, woodland edges, wet meadows, and prairies. It is a common butterfly around small trees and shrubs in fields. It has a low bouncing flight similar to that of the wood-satyr, but never flies up into trees without the help of strong winds, and is more fond of open areas. Adults seldom take nectar.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
The larval hosts of this butterfly are various grasses.