The Southern Pearly-eye is a woodland butterfly marked by several dark eyespots near the edges of its forewings and hindwings. It is found primarily in the southeastern United States, with its range stretching westward to the eastern edge of Texas. This species favors moist, shaded habitats near streams or hardwood forests. It can be distinguished from the Northern Pearly-eye and the female Creole Pearly-eye by its orange-tipped antenna clubs, which are a key identification feature.

 

“Southern Pearly-eye” by Pondhawk, licensed by (CC BY 2.0)

 

Southern Pearly-Eye Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Satyrinae

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

Butterfly Habitat: Shady, damp woods near stream-fed swamps

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where Southern Pearly-eye females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Switch Cane (Arundinaria tecta)

 

🌸 feeding behavior

Adult Pearly-eye butterflies primarily feed on:

• Carrion

• Dung

• Rotting fruit

• Sap flows

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