The Dryad is a dark brown butterfly of sunny grasslands and woodland edges in temperate Europe and Asia, with two big blue-centered eyespots on each forewing. It isn't found in the US.
Appearance
- Appearance
- Wingspan about 2.1–2.8 in (54–70 mm). The upperside is dark brown, with two large eyespots with bluish centers on each forewing and one small eyespot on each hindwing. Females are larger and paler than males.
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- Grasslands
- Woodland edges
- Range
- Southern and central Europe east through Central Asia to Korea and Japan. It isn't found in the US.
- Preferred conditions
- In Europe it lives in flower-rich, sunny meadows and the edges of mixed woods, from about 330 to 5,250 ft (100–1,600 m).
Behavior
- Diet
- In Europe, adults sip nectar from tall flowers such as scabious and hemp agrimony.
- Activity
- Adults fly from June to September, depending on the region.
Life cycle
- Caterpillar food plants
- In Europe, caterpillars eat grasses and sedges, such as purple moor-grass, false oat-grass, bromes, fescues, and small-reeds.
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