Cercyonis sthenele
Boisduval, 1852
Great Basin wood-nymph
Cercyonis sthenele, the Great Basin wood-nymph, is a in the Nymphalidae found across the western United States and southern British Columbia. It is distinguished by two eyespots on the forewing with the upper larger than the lower, and a wingspan of 39–44 mm. The inhabits arid woodland including pinyon-juniper, chaparral, and brushland. Its period extends from late June to late August.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cercyonis sthenele: //sɛrˈsaɪ.ə.nɪs ˈstɛn.ə.li//
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Identification
Distinguished from the Common wood-nymph (Cercyonis pegala) by smaller size and asymmetrical forewing eyespots (upper larger than lower versus similar-sized). Separated from the Small wood-nymph (Cercyonis oetus) by presence of the lower eyespot in males and by the lower eyespot being positioned farther from the wing margin than the upper in females.
Images
Appearance
Dark brown with two eyespots on the forewing; the upper eyespot is noticeably larger than the lower. Wingspan measures 39–44 mm (1.5–1.7 in).
Habitat
Arid woodland, especially pinyon-juniper associations, chaparral, and brushland .
Distribution
Western United States and southern British Columbia, Canada.
Seasonality
period from late June to late August.
Diet
Larvae feed on various of grass.
Host Associations
- Various grass species - larval plantSpecific grass not documented in available sources
Life Cycle
First instar larvae hibernate.
Similar Taxa
- Cercyonis pegalaCommon wood-nymph is larger with forewing eyespots similar in size rather than asymmetrical
- Cercyonis oetusSmall wood-nymph males lack lower eyespot entirely; in females, lower eyespot is closer to wing margin than upper eyespot, opposite pattern to C. sthenele
More Details
Subspecies
Seven recognized, including nominate C. s. sthenele ( to San Francisco Peninsula, extinct), C. s. behrii (extinct), C. s. paulus, C. s. silvestris, C. s. masoni, C. s. hypoleuca, and C. s. sineocellata