Common Buckeye Encounter at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

While exploring the boat ramp at Reeve’s Slough in Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I spotted a beautiful Common Buckeye butterfly basking on a blade of grass. Luckily, I was able to get a close-up photo (be sure to check out my friend Mia’s blog post for her photo of this beauty: [Mia’s Common Buckeye Butterfly Post]). This chance encounter sparked my curiosity about these fascinating butterflies, and I dug into some interesting facts about Common Buckeyes (Junonia coenia) in eastern Oklahoma.

Did you know Oklahoma boasts over 170 butterfly species? The Common Buckeye is one of the most widespread, easily identified by its medium size (wingspan of 1 5/8 – 2 3/4 inches) and those prominent eyespots on its wings. Interestingly, their behavior differs between genders. Males tend to perch on low-lying plants or bare ground, keeping a watchful eye for females. They’ll occasionally take flight to patrol their territory or chase off other insects. Females, on the other hand, are busy laying eggs, placing them one at a time on leaf buds or the upper sides of leaves from plants in the snapdragon, plantain, and acanthus families.

Here in eastern Oklahoma, we typically see two to three broods of Common Buckeyes flitting about between May and October. They’re drawn to nectar-rich flowers like asters, chickory, and sunflowers, making them frequent visitors to open, sunny areas with low vegetation and some patches of bare ground.

While Common Buckeyes are permanent residents in the southern United States, they’re known to be migratory butterflies. In late spring and summer, they embark on a journey northward, temporarily colonizing regions like Oklahoma. Come fall, they feel the chill and instinctively migrate back south, seeking warmer climates where they can overwinter.

So, the next time you’re exploring Oklahoma’s open spaces during the warmer months, keep an eye out for the vibrant Common Buckeye butterfly. These fascinating creatures are a true testament to the wonders of nature’s migrations!