Intricate Satyr - Alabama Butterfly Atlas

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Intricate Satyrs were discovered by accident in 2014 during DNA sequencing of butterflies in the genus Sosybus. This cryptic species was not distinguished from its sister species, Carolina Satyr, for more than two hundred years. The name "Intricate" refers to the difficulty in recognizing this very distinct species and to its intricate ventral wing patterns.

Intricate and Carolina Satyrs are remarkably similar but there are discernable differences in appearance, habitat, and behavior. The most reliable tool for positive indentification involves dissection of genitalia. A look under the microspope reveals that the structures differ so much that interbreeding is probably not possible. In the field, male Intricate and Carolina Satyrs can be distinguished by looking at their dorsal surfaces. Male Intricates lack the dark androchonial scales that are present on Carolina's forewings. For both sexes, when looking at clossed wings (ventral), the line that runs parallel to the outer row of spots is all important. Although both species may fly together, Intricates tend to choose damper, shadier, more densely vegetated areas. Carolina Satyrs are more general in their habitat choices. Intricate Satyrs are more sedentary and less "flighty" than Carolinas

Initially discovered in Brazos Bend State Park in East Texas, Intricate Satyrs are widely distributed in the eastern U.S.

For more information about the discovery of this cryptic species:

"Two New Species of Butterfly Accidentally Found in Eastern USA." Entomology Today February 21, 2014

Distribution and Abundance

A dot on the county map indicates that there is at least one documented record of the species within that county. In some cases, a species may be common throughout the county, in others it may be found in only a specific habitat. The High Count information shows the highest numbers recorded for this species as well as when and where they occurred.

The sightings bar graphs depict the timing of flight(s) within each of three geographic regions. Place your cursor on a bar within the graph to see the number of individuals recorded during that period.

The abundance calendar displays the total number of individuals recorded within each week of the month. Both the graphs and the calendar are on based data collection that began in 2000.

The records analyzed here are only a beginning. As more data is collected, these maps and graphs will paint a more accurate picture of distribution and abundance in Alabama. Submit your sightings to albutterflyatlas@gmail.com.

Sightings in the following counties: Baldwin, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Covington, Dallas, Escambia, Hale, Jefferson, Lowndes, Macon, Marshall, Mobile, Monroe, Perry, Pike, Shelby, Walker

Sightings in the past 5 years
Sightings in the past 5 - 10 years
Sightings more than 10 years ago

High count(s):

21 - Blount - 9/1/2017
8 - Hale - 8/6/2016
8 - Hale - 6/15/2019

View county names by moving the mouse over a county or view a map with county names

Jan				Feb				Mar				Apr				May				Jun				Jul				Aug				Sep				Oct				Nov				Dec
1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4
												1				1					3	17	1		3	1	2	10	10	3	14	23	1	1	4	2	2		1

Habitat

Hardwood forests in river floodplains or forested ephemeral wetlands. Usually dense, damp understory with no standing water for extended periods. Road edges through bottomland hardwood forests. Typically heavily shaded with dense growth of grasses. Not usually close to human habitation.

Intricate Satyr (*Hermeuptychia intricata*)

County

© Sara Bright

Shady forest

Host and Nectar Plants

Observations from South Carolina indicate that rossette-type grasses (Dicantheliums) are primary hosts plants there. Slender Wood Oats (Chasmanthium laxum) may also be used,

These host plants have been verified in Alabama: