Satyrodes eurydice

One brood in July, rarely extending into August. It has been photographed in Minnesota as early as mid-June (6/19/2006).

Sedge meadows, freshwater marshes

The eyespots on the forewing of the eyed brown are of nearly equal intensity, though they are of increasing size from top to bottom. Seen from above the forewing has four eyespots: seen from below it has five. The hindwing has a basal line that veers sharply inward at the second vein from the top.

In southern Minnesota (Freeborn, Faribault, and Watonwan counties) there is a dark variant called smokey eyed brown (Satyrodes eurydice fumosa). They are noticeably darker: seen from above the forewing has five eyespots instead of four; seen from below it has six eyespots instead of five. The Nature Conservancy gives this variant a Global Rank of 3, “vulnerable to extirpation or extinction, 21–100 known occurrences.”

A light outer ring around each eyespot helps to distinguish this satyr from the northern pearly-eye (Enodia anthedon) and little wood-satyr (Megisto cymela).

Appalachian brown (Satyrodes appalachia) has forewing eyespots of unequal intensity. The hindwing has a straight basal line.

Sedge (Carex)

Mostly sap and bird droppings, but occasionally flower nectar

The eyed brown flies over and within low plant growth and perches frequently, making it a relatively easy subject to photograph and identify.