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Close-up photo of live Common Buckeye butterfly

McDonald Creek Basin, Jackson Co, July 20

Gray
Buckeye

Junonia grisea

AKA Common Buckeye

Size: Up to 2.5 inch wingspan

Key ID features:  Above mauve-brown with large eye spots on both FW and HW. FW above has curving band of ivory almost forming a "6" around one of the eyes, and two orange bars ringed in black on the leading edge. Relatively unmarked below, with irregular bands of pale tans and grays, and pale submedian row of spots on the HW.

Similar species: No other Oregon butterfly has large spots on FW and HW against lavender-gray ground color.

Host plant: A variety of species in the figwort family, including penstemons, paintbrushes, veronicas and monkeyflowers.

Habitat: Forest openings, riparian areas, subalpine meadows, mostly above 3,000 feet. 

Range: Nearly all of southern half of Oregon, and both flanks of the Cascades from Wasco County south.

Season: Late May to late October

Abundance: Uncommon 

 

Conservation Status: Secure

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