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Viola's Wood Satyr
Megisto viola (Maynard, 1891)
Attributes of Megisto violaFamily: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) Subfamily: Satyrs and Wood-Nymphs (Satyrinae) Identification: Light brown. Upperside has 2 large eyespots on each wing. Underside of both wings has distinct markings; the dark postmedian line is strongly bowed. Life history: Adults have a slow bouncing flight and will rise as far as the tops of tall trees. Males patrol in the shade to find females. Eggs are laid singly on grass blades, which the caterpillars eat. Flight: One flight; April in Florida, later elsewhere. Wing span: 1 11/16 - 1 15/16 inches (4.3 - 5 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) and centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides). Adult food: Sap, aphid honeydew, rarely flower nectar. Habitat: Grassy woods. Range: Along the Atlantic Coast from South Carolina south to central Florida. The range is probably larger, but is not well-defined. Conservation: Ecological requirements are not understood. NatureServe Global Status: G3 - Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (21 to 100 occurrences). (Threatened throughout its range). Management needs: Study habitat requirements, status, and need for conservation. | Documented Records for Megisto viola
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