The Gemmed Satyr is a small, brown butterfly whose wings lack the prominent eyespots seen in many other species. Instead, its hindwings are adorned with a delicate patch of silvery white or pale blue spots, tiny “gems” that give the butterfly its name. While traditional eyespots are believed to startle or confuse predators by mimicking the eyes of a larger animal, the Gemmed Satyr’s jeweled pattern may serve a similar defensive purpose. Remarkably, this gemmed patch closely resembles the face of a jumping spider, a visual mimicry that could deter potential predators by suggesting the presence of a threat rather than a meal.

 

“Gemmed Satyr” by Mark Brown, licensed under (CC  BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Gemmed Satyrs Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Satyrinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/8 – 1 11/16 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Near open, wet woodland; grassy areas near water; near streams and ponds

 

🪴Host Plants

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

• Slender Woodoats (Chasmanthium laxum)

 

🌸 Feeding Behavior

Adult Gemmed Satyrs feed almost exclusively on:

• Dung

• Moisture from damp soil and leaf litter

• Rotting fruit

• Sap flows

Their preference for sap, rotting fruit, and dung is due to their shaded woodland habitats, where flowers are less abundant.