The Creole Pearly-eye is a small, brown and tan butterfly marked by a single row of dark eyespots along both its forewings and hindwings. A true woodland species, it favors shady, densely vegetated habitats and is often found resting head-down on tree trunks or hiding in thick undergrowth. Its subtle coloring and secretive nature make it easy to overlook, even in areas where it is common.

 

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Creole Pearly-eye Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Satyrinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 2 5/16 – 2 3/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Dense moist woods near large swamps and dense upland forests in the southern Appalachians

 

🪴 Host Plants

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

• Switchcane (Arundinaria tecta)

 

🌸 feeding behavior

Adult Creole Pearly-eye butterflies rarely nectar at flowers. They 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.