Saint Francis' Satyr - Life History

Life History

The St. Francis’ satyr is a small, dark brown butterfly with distinguishing white and yellow spots along the lower surfaces of both upper and lower wings. Females appear slightly larger and lighter brown than males. The average wing span is 34–44 mm. Adults live an average of 3–4 days. The species is bivoltine, with the first flight period occurring from late May to early June, and the second from late July to mid August. Females deposit eggs individually or in small clusters that emerge as larvae in 7–10 days. Caterpillars that emerge in early summer (first flight period) pupate after two months, while those that emerge in late summer (second flight period) overwinter and pupate the following spring. Pupation may take up to two weeks. One known larval host plant is Carex mitchelliana, although it is likely that other sedges in the Carex genus may also act as host plants.