Common wood-nymph vs Little wood satyr

These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a common wood-nymph from a little wood satyr, and whether either one bites or stings.

≠The key differences

Common wood-nymph is larger with more prominent eyespots (usually two large eyespots on the forewing) and less delicate pale banding.

	Common wood-nymph	Little wood satyr
To humans	Non-toxic	Non-toxic
Size	Wingspan 45-65 mm	Wingspan about 38-48 mm
Colours	Brown, Pale yellow, Black, Orange-brown	Brown, Tan, Pale yellow, Cream, Dark brown
Family	Nymphalidae	Nymphalidae
Habitat	Open woodlands, woodland edges, grassy clearings, meadows, prairies and roadside verges	Shady deciduous woodlands, forest edges, streamsides, grassy openings and paths.
Range	Widespread across much of North America, from southern Canada through most of the United States; appearance varies by region	Eastern and central North America from southern Canada through much of the United States, west to the Great Plains.
Active	Late spring to early autumn depending on region; adults are diurnal and most active in warm, sunny weather	Spring through early autumn; typically daytime, early morning and late afternoon in shady areas.
Pest?	No	No

Look for two large yellow-ringed black eyespots on each forewing; the hindwing underside has a variable row of small eyespots
Brown wings, often with a pale yellow forewing patch around the eyespots; finely striated underwings blend with dead grass
Moderate size with rounded wing margins and slow, low flight through grassy areas

Small rounded brown wings with two yellow-ringed black eyespots on each wing, visible from above and below.
Underside paler brown with two dark lines crossing both wings; eyespots are smaller and fewer than in larger wood-nymphs.
Habitually flies low and close to shaded grassy ground; often seen along woodland paths.

Common wood-nymph is larger with more prominent eyespots (usually two large eyespots on the forewing) and less delicate pale banding.

Common wood-nymph: Non-toxic. Little wood satyr: Non-toxic. Harmless to people. Harmless to people.

Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.