Southern Pearly-eye (Lethe portlandia)

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.

Formerly classified as Enodia portlandia.


Cumberland Co., NC 4 June 2006	Johnston Co., NC 29 May 2005


Hyde Co., NC 16 Sep 2006	Pender Co., NC 13 Sep 2009

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Created on ... May 30, 2005 | Update on ... Oct 12, 2009 | jspippen@duke.edu