Wisconsin Native Caterpillars
Common Wood-Nymph Caterpillar
Genus-Species: Cercyonis pegala
Description: The caterpillar is green or yellowish
green with several somewhat paler lateral stripes. The caterpillar is covered with long, fine,
pale hairs and has a green, rounded head without horns.
Chrysalis: Yellow-green with white on upper surface
and along the edge of the wing case. Often hangs from a grass stem.
Host Plants: Grasses including Big Bluestem
(Andropogon gerardii), Grove Bluegrass (Poa alsodes), Fowl Bluegrass (Poa palustris), and
Woodland Bluegrass (Poa saltuensis)
Habitat: Grasslands and open fields near woodlands.
Prairie restorations are often hot spots for this species.
Comments: This is by far the most common butterfly in
the state on a regular basis.