Megisto cymela
Megisto cymela
Megisto cymela is a butterfly ( butterfly ) of the family Nymphalidae ( Nymphalidae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The wingspan of the butterfly is 38 to 48 millimeters. Front and rear wings have on the top of a brown color. In the Submarginalregion there are two large black ocelli, which are outlined in pale yellow. The wing undersides are lighter brownish in color. The ocelli of the top shine through. They are framed bright yellow. On the hind wing underside in addition to the large eyespots most other smaller available. In all underwings run two thin, straight, dark brown to reddish-brown transverse lines.
Egg
The eggs are pale yellow-green and are individually on blades of grass, placed at the base of trees or on the ground.
Caterpillar
Full-grown caterpillars have a pale brown or yellow-brown color, a dark dorsal line and wavy brown side stripes and slashes. The body ends in two reddish tips at the end. At the tawny head two horns are indicated only very briefly.
Doll
The doll has a pale yellow-brown color and is equipped with many brown spots, dots and stripes. On the back there are two flat combs.
Subspecies
In addition to the nominate Megisto cymela cymela another subspecies is distinguished:
- Megisto cymela viola ( Maynard, 1891)
Distribution and occurrence
The range of the species extends from the south of the central and eastern Canadian provinces and further south through the center and the entire Eastern U.S. to Texas and Florida. Megisto cymela preferred populated shady, wooded landscapes.
Way of life
The moths fly in one generation depending on the region from March to July. Along the Gulf Coast, they are sometimes found even in late September. These animals are likely to belong to a second generation. To accommodate nectar they rarely visit flowers. However, you suck occasionally injured trees or take honeydew secretions of aphids on. As a food plant of the caterpillars various grasses are called, for example, the ordinary orchard grass ( Dactylis glomerata ) and Eremochloa ophiuroides. The caterpillar overwinters in the fourth larval instar.