Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

Common statewide in NC, buckeyes can be found from Spring to early Winter.
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Richmond Co., NC
14 June 2008

One of the most frequently encountered butterflies in NC, Common Buckeyes are found in gardens, fields, roadsides, power lines, and other disturbed places. They nectar on a wide variety of flowers.


Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Scotland Co., NC
14 June 2008

Nectaring on Swamp Titi (Cyrilla racemiflora).


Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia form rosa)
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
24 Oct 2020

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia form rosa)
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
19 Sep 2018

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
24 Oct 2020

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Orange Co., NC
17 July 2004

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Nectaring on Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)
Blackwood Division Duke Forest. Orange Co., NC
25 July 2003
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Nectaring on Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)
Blackwood Division of Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
16 July 2003

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia form rosa)

Many autumn individual ("dry season") Common Buckeyes show rich brick red (often described as rose-red) under hindwings.

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Chatham Co., NC
20 Oct 2006
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Durham Co., NC
19 Sep 2018

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Washington Co., NC
21 June 2006
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Durham Co., NC
30 May 2011

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Brumley Nature Preserve, Orange Co., NC
13 Apr 2023

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Durham Division Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
20 July 2003

Lighting conditions (sun v. cloud, etc.) can affect the apparent color of butterflies as is observed here. Note that both pictures above are of the same individual on the same perch in the same pose, and neither is with the camera flash.


Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Sandhills Game Lands, Scotland Co., NC
4 Aug 2016
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Tyrrell Co., NC
28 Aug 2016

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Bogue Banks, Carteret Co., NC
27 Oct 2017
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Bogue Banks, Carteret Co., NC
27 Oct 2017

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Durham Co., NC
3 Sep 2010

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Sandhills Game Lands, Richmond Co., NC
28 Apr 2019
Common Buckeyes (Junonia coenia)
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
7 June 2020

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
10 Oct 2023

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
8 Nov 2023

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Cape Hatteras, Dare Co., NC
17 Oct 2019

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
Person Co., NC
13 June 2006

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) caterpillar on host plant, Agalinis purpurea
Hoke Co., NC
12 September 2004

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) caterpillar on host plant, Agalinis purpurea
New Hanover Co., NC
27 August 2005

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) caterpillar on host plant, Agalinis
Bladen Co., NC
1 Oct 2016

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) caterpillar on host plant, Agalinis
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
25 Sep 2018

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) caterpillar on host plant, Agalinis
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
25 Sep 2018

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) caterpillar on host plant, Agalinis
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
25 Sep 2018

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) caterpillar on host plant, Agalinis
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
27 Sep 2020


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Created on ... July 16, 2003 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com