The Common Buckeye is found in large numbers in parts of the US and Mexico. It gets its name from the bright and colorful eye-like markings on each of its wings. When the wings are open, the base coloration in all four wings is brown. The primary wings display two cell bars in bright orange, as well as two eyespots, with the lower eyespot being the largest of all. The secondary wings also have two eyespots each, with the larger upper one having a crescent in magenta.

 

“Common Buckeye” by John Flannery, licensed under (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

Common Buckeye Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Nymphalinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 5/8 – 2 3/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Open, sunny areas with low vegetation and some bare ground

 

Common Buckeye Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Snapdragon
• Toadflax
• Plantains
• Ruellia

Nectar Plants:

• Aster
• Chickory
• Gumweed
• Knapweed
• Tickseed
• Dogbane
• Peppermint