Description
The Northern Pearly-Eye (Lethe anthedon) is a woodland butterfly with soft brown wings, marked by several distinctive dark eyespots with pale centers on both the forewings and hindwings, and is typically found in shady forests, near streams, and along wooded trails across northern North America.
Range
It is found throughout the state.
Similar Species
Eyed Brown and Appalachian Brown are superficially similar but Northern Pearly-eye has a more angular wing shape and much bolder markings and eyespots.
Host Plants
Various various grasses and sedges, including Carex spp, Leersia virginica, Erianthus spp, Muhlenbergia spp, bearded shortgrass (Brachyelytrum erectum), Chasmanthium latifolium, bottlebrush grass (Hystrix patula), and false melic grass (Schizachne purpurascens)
Flight
Overwinters as a chrysalis, and can emerge as early as June and flies until August.