Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)

Distributed statewide in NC, this species is generally common in the eastern half of the state but more uncommon in the western half. There seems to be a single long brood and they can be found on the wing from May to October. Wood-Nymphs emerging later in the season show a light cream color in the forewing patch rather than the deep yellow if the early season individuals (either that or the color fades as the individuals age). Note, too, the impressive amount of variation in the eyespot size & pattern found in the underhindwings!

Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Durham Division, Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
9 July 2018

Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Tyrrell Co., NC
21 June 2003

Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Pender Co., NC
11 Sep 2016


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Pender Co., NC 11 Sep 2016	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Pender Co., NC 11 Sep 2016


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Currituck Co., NC 18 Jun 2014


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Watauga Co., NC 22 July 2006	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Harnett Co., NC 3 Sep 2006

Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Orange Co., NC
21 Aug 2004


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Chatham Co., NC 26 Sep 2004	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Chatham Co., NC 24 Sep 2005


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Chatham Co., NC 22 Sep 2013	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Craven Co., NC 31 Aug 2008


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Durham Division, Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC 6 Sep 2020	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Durham Division, Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC 6 Sep 2020

Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Durham Division, Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
13 Sep 2020


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Croatan NF, Craven Co., NC 25 Aug 2018	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC 1 Sep 2023


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Orange Co., NC 2 Aug 2005	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Blue Ridge Pkwy, Alleghany Co., NC 24 Aug 2016

Below are Common Wood-Nymphs from Michigan.

A different subspecies (Cercyonis pegala nephele or possibly Cercyonis pegala alope)
St Clair Co., MI
8 July 2003

	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala nephele or possibly Cercyonis pegala alope) Allegan Co., MI 5 July 2004

Below are Common Wood-Nymphs from the California Sierra Nevada Range.


#0528 Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Dry mixed pine woods A few miles north of Quincy, Plumas Co., CA 15 July 2007	#0533 Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Dry mixed pine woods A few miles north of Quincy, Plumas Co., CA 15 July 2007

#0536
Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Dry mixed pine woods
A few miles north of Quincy, Plumas Co., CA
15 July 2007

This butterfly and the two above are from the same area.

#0665
Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Edge of large bog/marsh near pine woods
A few miles north of Quincy, Plumas Co., CA
15 July 2007

This butterfly was found just up the road from the 3 above, but along the edge of the dry woods/wet bog habitat. Originally, Bill Bouton and I thought these were Cercyonis sthenele, but after looking closely at the pictures, we weren't sure. Ken Davenport suggested Cercyonis pegala ariane with the caveat that it would be nice to have gotten looks at the dorsal surface to be sure.

For comparison: Great Basin Wood-Nymph (C. sthenele) | Small Wood-Nymph (C. oetus)

Below are Common Wood-Nymphs from Montana/Wyoming.


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT 15 July 2013	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT 15 July 2013


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT 15 July 2013	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT 4 Sep 2013


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT 3 Sep 2013	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT 3 Sep 2013


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT 7 July 2014	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Davis Creek, Missoula Co., MT 7 Aug 2014


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Woodchuck Creek, Missoula Co., MT 25 Aug 2014	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Woodchuck Creek, Missoula Co., MT 22 Sep 2014


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Davis Creek, Missoula Co., MT 1 July 2015	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Johnson Co., WY 5 July 2024

Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Near Mt. Baldy, Missoula Co., MT
13 Sep 2013

While other wood-nymph species visit flowers for nectar more frequently than Common Wood-Nymph, Common Wood-Nymphs still may be found nectaring!

Below are Common Wood-Nymphs from Colorado.


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Apex Park, Jefferson Co., CO 15 July 2016	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Apex Park, Jefferson Co., CO 15 July 2016

Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Apex Park, Jefferson Co., CO
15 July 2016

Below are Common Wood-Nymphs from eastern Canada.

Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
Murphy's Point Provincial Park, Lanark Co., Ontario
12 July 2018


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Luskville, Gatineau Park, Pontiac Co., Quebec 15 July 2018	Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Luskville, Gatineau Park, Pontiac Co., Quebec 15 July 2018


Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Luskville, Gatineau Park, Pontiac Co., Quebec 15 July 2018

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Created on ... June 24, 2003 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com