Canyonland Satyr
Cyllopsis pertepida
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyNymphalidae
HabitatShaded oak woodlands and canyons of the Southwest
SeasonFlies spring through fall in West Texas canyons
LocationTobe Canyon, Davis Mountains Preserve, Texas, Jeff Davis County, Texas
Size1.5-1.8 inch wingspan
DietCaterpillars eat grasses; adults rarely visit flowers
ConservationNot evaluated; locally common
CameraNikon Z9Lens400mmAperturef/5.6Shutter1/400ISO640
Canyonland Satyr caught dancing through the oak shade at Tobe Canyon.
About the Canyonland Satyr
The Canyonland Satyr is a soft brown butterfly of shaded southwestern canyons, patterned with delicate rust lines and small eyespots on the hindwing. Rather than visiting flowers, it bounces low through dappled oak shade in a weak, dancing flight, settling often on leaf litter where its colors melt into the background.
In Texas it is a specialty of the Trans-Pecos mountains, flying in the same oak canyons that hold Painted Redstarts and Hepatic Tanagers.
This one was photographed in Tobe Canyon in the Davis Mountains Preserve, dancing through the oak shade exactly as the field guides promise.
Want to see a Canyonland Satyr in the wild?
Join one of my guided birding tours! Fine art prints of my photos are also available.
Join one of my guided birding tours! Fine art prints of my photos are also available.
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