Little wood satyrs, also known as Megisto cymela, have specific dietary preferences depending on their life stage. The larvae of little wood satyrs primarily feed on plants belonging to the grass family, scientifically known as Poaceae. This includes various types of grasses commonly found in gardens and landscapes.
As larvae, little wood satyrs have a voracious appetite for grass. They munch on the leaves and stems, extracting nutrients necessary for their growth and development. It is fascinating to observe these tiny creatures devouring blades of grass, leaving behind distinctive chew marks.
Once little wood satyrs complete their larval stage and undergo metamorphosis, they emerge as adults. At this stage, their feeding habits change slightly. While they still have a preference for grass, they also diversify their diet to include other food sources.
Adult little wood satyrs primarily feed on plant sap, which they obtain by piercing the plant tissue with their mouthparts. They extract the sugary sap, which serves as a source of energy for them. In addition to sap, they also consume ripe fruits when available, particularly those that have fallen to the ground. This behavior can sometimes be observed in gardens with fruit-bearing trees or shrubs.
Another interesting aspect of little wood satyrs’ feeding habits is their attraction to aphid honeydew. Aphids, small insects that feed on plant sap, excrete a sugary substance called honeydew. Little wood satyrs are known to feed on this honeydew, which acts as a supplemental food source for them. This behavior can be beneficial for gardeners, as little wood satyrs can help control aphid populations by consuming their honeydew.
It is worth noting that little wood satyrs rarely visit flowers for feeding purposes. Unlike some other butterfly species, they do not rely heavily on nectar as a food source. Instead, their diet primarily consists of grass, sap, fruits, and aphid honeydew.
In my personal experience as a gardening and landscaping expert, I have often come across little wood satyrs in outdoor spaces with ample grassy areas. Their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem with a diverse range of plant species, including grasses. Observing their feeding habits can be both educational and enjoyable, as they provide insights into the intricate relationships between insects and plants.
To summarize, little wood satyrs feed on grass during their larval stage and continue to consume grass as adults. They also feed on plant sap, ripe fruits, and aphid honeydew as additional food sources. Their feeding habits contribute to the overall balance of ecosystems and can be fascinating to observe in garden and landscape settings.
