In NC, this species is found throughout the coastal plain and eastern half of the piedmont, usually in forested bottomlands with its hostplant, cane (Arundinaria), present. Southern Pearly-eyes are two-three brooded flying from spring into fall. The best way to field-separate them from the similar Northern Pearly-eye is by the color of the antennal club (all orange in Southern; black with orange tip in Northern). Southerns may fly together with Creole Pearly-eyes, but the latter species usually shows 5 forewing eyespots and a post-median line on the underforewing with a couple of large outward bulges like knuckles on a fist.
