Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
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DISTRIBUTION in North Carolina: Statewide, occurring probably in all NC counties.
ABUNDANCE in North Carolina: Locally common to very common in the northern mountains, but mostly uncommon (to locally fairly common) elsewhere in the state. Can be numerous on the Outer Banks. Seems quite scarce in many counties, despite this being considered a common butterfly in the eastern United States.
FLIGHT PERIOD in North Carolina: A single, long brood; continuous presence in NC from the end of May or early June to late October. However, many individuals apparently aestivate for awhile in midsummer, especially in August when a clear drop in numbers is evident. Evidence of the "single-broodedness" of the species can be seen in fall, when individuals are quite faded, and the ochre forewing band is often worn to a white color. This is one of the latest of the common butterflies to appear each year, usually not being numerous until late June.
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Distribution, abundance, flight period, and map information provided by Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina.
Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) 07/16/05 · Ashe County, NC
Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) 07/24/06 · Watauga County, NC
Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)07/12/07 · Watauga County, NC · aberrant
Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) 07/18/05 · Ashe County, NC · mated