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 virginicaErianthus 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.