Alabama Butterfly Atlas

Butterfly: Wingspan: 1¼ - 1¾ inches (3.5 - 4.3 cm).  The upperside is brown with no markings. The underside of the hindwing has a row of elongated eyespots that are encircled by a red line.

ID Tip: Look for flattened hindwing eyespots within reddish-orange lines.

Egg: Pearly globe laid singly or in very small clusters on host plant.

Caterpillar: Green with narrow light stripes, two short tails, and two tiny reddish horns on head. Partially grown caterillars overwinter.

Chrysalis: Grassy green with lighter marking along wing casing.

The status of the species known as Georgia Satyr has been in flux for decades. Until 1999, "Georgia Satyr" also included a widespread group of very similar butterflies that were classified as subspecies 'helicta'.  In that year, based on slight differences in wing markings as well as perceived habitat differences, the two types were each awarded full species status: Georgia Satyr (Neonympha aureolatus) and Helicta Satyr (N. helicta). In 2019, the Catalogue of the Butterflies of the United States and Canada (Jonathon P. Pelham) once again listed 'helicta' as a subspecies of Georgia Satyr.

Georgia Satyrs bounce and bob among low vegetation. Rarely flying more than a foot above the ground, they tend to fly through tall shrubs rather than over them.  Males tirelessly patrol in search of mates, but females are reclusive, flying when flushed, then quickly dropping deep into the undergrowth. 

 

 

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, Covington, Escambia, Mobile, Shelby, Washington

  • Map Symbol for Recent Sightings Sightings in the past 5 years
  • Map Symbol for Semi-Recent Sightings Sightings in the past 5 - 10 years
  • Map Symbol for Old Sightings Sightings more than 10 years ago

High count(s):

  • 50 - Baldwin - 9/3/2016
  • 20 - Mobile - 9/16/2008
  • 12 - Baldwin - 5/7/2016
County Distribution Map

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
14 5 16 1 4 7 1 4 6 10 7 9 72 3 37 9 7 17

Habitat

Pines savannas; open, wet grassy areas.

Georgia Satyr
Georgia Satyr (Neonympha areolatus)
County
© SaraBright
Pine Bog

Host and Nectar Plants

Grasses and/or sedges are suspected.

No host plant has yet been documented in Alabama.

Landscaping Ideas

Georgia Satrys are not typically attracted to landscaped areas.