Often they can be found nectaring on flowers in drier regions, including higher altitude areas.
The two eyespots on the wing seen in a side view on the top picture denotes the female. Males have one eyespot. However, prior to making the call of a male Small Wood Nymph, be sure the bottom wing is not covering a potential second eye spot.
It is one of a handful of Arctic butterfly species, all of which have a limited range. The Great Arctic is found in the Pacific Northwest and northern California.
They are relatively easy to spot sunning themselves in the early morning sun. The top of the wings (not shown) are brown with a black border.
The extended range means the physical look of the butterfly often varies from place to place.
Generally it can be characterized as a brown, medium sized butterfly. Eyespots running up and down both wigns are visible when the wings are folded.
The caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses, partially explaining the Common Wood Nymph's extended range.
Common Ringlets (Coenonympha tullia) are primarily a western butterfly species, although there is also a New England population. Contrary to their name, not all of them have visible rings or eyespots on the wings.
Wing color also varies from a dull brown to shades of grays and oranges. The top and bottom pictures provide examples of wing shade differences.
Most species can be found in grasslands and meadows, the food source for the caterpillars.
Its range extends from the Mason-Dixon line, south to Southern Florida, and west to the middle of Texas and Oklahoma.
It is a fairly small butterfly that can be found perching on grasses low to the ground.
The eyespot pattern on the wings serve as a good field identification clue.
