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The Little Wood-Satyr (Cissia eurytus Cis'si-a)
Cissia eurytus (Cis'si-a eu'ry-tus) PLATE XXX, FIG. 5, 6 1 The upper surface of the wings nearly uniform dark brown, the outer third sometimes a little paler; each wing with two eye-spots situated in cells M, and Cu₁; the small pupils often double. On the hind wings the eye-spot in cell M, is often obsolete, and there is sometimes an accessory one in cell Cu; the outer margin and two submarginal lines dark. The lower surface is rather pale gray brown, with the outer margin and four transverse lines brown; eye-spots as above, also with one in cell R. of the hind wings, and rudiments of one in cells M, and M₂. Expanse of wings about one and one-half inches. 5 3 CATERPILLAR.- Body downy and pale greenish brown in color, with brownish or blackish lengthwise stripes. The head and its tubercles are whitish. The tubercles on the rear end of the body are of the same hue.
Food-plant. Grass.
This lively butterfly is as jolly as a little woodsatyr ought to be. It has a skipping, dancing, care-free flight, never rising far over the ground.
Like a true satyr, it loves the shade of thickets and groves. The two round spots are very noticeable at the front outer angles of the upper side of the wings, although those on the hind wings are often obscure. A peculiar thing about any one of these eye-spots is that when looked at directly from above it seems solid, but when looked at from an angle it shows a double pupil of metallic sheen. On the lower surface of the wings all the eye-spots have these twin pupils, and between the spots are patches of shining, reddish gold-a gold with much alloy, but which nevertheless makes an exquisite adornment.
The little wood-satyr is single-brooded and appears early in the season. In the South the butterfly appears as early as March, but in the North we do not see it until late in May or the first of June. The caterpillar feeds by night, and hides during the day among the roots and bases of the grass where its shape and color protect it from the eyes of prowling foe; it hibernates when partly grown. It is always sluggish in its movements and in this respect forms a strong contrast to the sprightly butterfly.