Southern Pearly-Eye (Lethe portlandia) Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia
Preferring shade over sun, this butterfly dwells in southern habitats where its host plant, native cane (Arundinaria app.) grows in the forest understory.
It is similar to other species in the Satyrinae family and can be easily confused with Creole Pearly-Eye and Northern Pearly-Eye. The most reliable diagnostic marker of this species is its yellow-orange antennal clubs. The other two species have all black antennal clubs or black with an orange tip.
Southern Pearly-Eye (Lethe portlandia) Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia
Preferring shade over sun, this butterfly dwells in southern habitats where its host plant, native cane (Arundinaria app.) grows in the forest understory.
It is similar to other species in the Satyrinae family and can be easily confused with Creole Pearly-Eye and Northern Pearly-Eye. The most reliable diagnostic marker of this species is its yellow-orange antennal clubs. The other two species have all black antennal clubs or black with an orange tip.