Common Buckeye
Common NameCommon Buckeye
Scientific NameJunonia coenia
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Wing Patterneyespot
Primary Colorsbrown, orange, black, blue, white
HabitatOpen fields, meadows, pastures, roadsides, gardens, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeSouthern Canada, United States (except Pacific Northwest), Mexico, Central America, Caribbean
Host PlantsPlantago spp., Antirrhinum spp., Linaria spp., Ruellia spp., Phyla nodiflora
Flight PeriodSpring to Fall in temperate regions, year-round in tropical regions
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are spiny, black with orange markings. Pupae are typically green or brown, camouflaged.
Identification TipsKey features are the distinctive large eyespots on both forewings and hindwings, especially the two prominent ones on the forewings. Its low, erratic flight and tendency to land on bare ground also aid identification.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with dull brown wings featuring two prominent, large, black-and-blue eyespots on the forewings and two similar but often larger eyespots on the hindwings, bordered by orange and white bands.
