Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia Hübner
Photo by Hartono Subagio from Pixabay
Summary
This pretty brown and orange butterfly sports distinctive eyespots on all four wings, making it fairly easy to identify. Adults prefer flowers in the aster and milkweed family, and are also attracted to decaying fruit and moist areas. Like many of us, they enjoy catching some rays–on bright days, you’ll often spot them on bare ground with wings outstretched, soaking up the sunshine. When autumn approaches, these sun-lovers migrate to southern states for the winter.
More Details
FAMILY
Nymphalidae (Brushfoots)
IDENTIFICATION
Wingspan 1.65 - 2.8 inches; Three large dorsal eyespots, a creamy white band enveloping forewing eyespot, and two small bands on forewing.
HABITAT
Sunny meadows,open areas, fields, and clearings.
LIFE CYCLE
Eggs: tiny, green, and round, laid singly on the tender buds or upper sides of leaves. Caterpillar: has spine-like structures, with a distinctive striking blue hue at their bases. Pupa: mottled brown and cream, blending into its surroundings. When closed, the adult buckeye's wings have a pattern that helps camouflage it.
HOST PLANTS
Plantain (Plantago spp.), toadflax, (Linaria spp.), false foxglove, (Agalinis spp.). and many other plants.
Ecosystem Connections
The caterpillars are herbivores that graze on their host plants, including snapdragons and non-native weeds such as plantain and toadflax. Adults play a role in pollination, and all stages provide food for predators.