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Northern Pearly-eye Enodia anthedon Easily, one of my favorite butterflies. One of three related species in Arkansas. Both of the others, the Southern and Creole Pearly-eye, are much less common. This species uses the grass Chasmanthium, Inland Oats, for its caterpillar food plant. The other two use cane, Arundinaria. A very active butterfly. The bouncy, head-level flight is sometimes comical. Often wings through the tree trunks after it is flushed only to come back after several cycles to the same tree trunk. Frequently perches head down on the side of its chosen tree. This one was extracting essentials from a nice pile of raccoon stool. The number of eyespots on the forewing is variable. This species is separated from the Southern Pearly-eye most easily by the antennae bulbs which are black and orange. The Southern has all orange bulbs. |
