Northern Pearly Eye
(Enodia anthedon)

This species is unlikely to be seen in the BFEC butterfly garden. Adults of this species do not visit flowers for nectar. Instead they rely on rotting fruits, fermenting tree sap, damp soil and feces for their nutrition They rarely venture far from shaded perches and are most common in forested areas. The butterfly pictured here was photographed in August as it perched on a sliding glass door that opens onto a deck surrounded by trees. It appears to be dancing with its reflection.

When seen from the top the wings have large black spots surrounded by yellow. The spots on the forewing are in a straight line. The under surface of the hindwings has the spots surrounded completely by a continuous white line. This is unlike the similar Northern Eyed Brown in which the ventral eye spots are individually surrounded by white lines. Also note that the antennal clubs are light at the tip but dark at the base.