The Appalachian Brown is a medium-sized brown butterfly, easily recognized by the small, dark-ringed eyespots that line the edges of its wings. A member of the subfamily Satyrinae, it favors damp, shaded woodlands, forest edges, and marshy areas, where it often rests low in the vegetation. This elusive butterfly rarely strays into open spaces, preferring the shelter and cover of its woodland habitat.

 

“Appalachian Brown” by Jason Forbes, licensed under (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Appalachian Brown Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Satyrinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 7/8 – 2 1/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Wooded wet swamps, shrub swamps, forest edges, and along slow-moving streams

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Sedges (Carex spp.)

 

🌸 feeding behavior

Adult Appalachian Brown butterflies primarily feed on:

• Dung

• Moisture from damp soil and leaf litter

• Rotting fruit

• Sap flows

They seldom visit flowers for nectar, as few flowers bloom in their shaded habitats.