Common Buckeye
As its name implies, the Common Buckeye is a widespread butterfly, but not in Canada. It is found in the southern regions of the United States. In summer, adults move northward, sometimes reaching southern Canada. On Monday, as I was walking through the horse pasture, a butterfly flew up near me and I was able to get a photograph. It proved to be the first Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) that I’ve spotted in Ontario.
Buckeyes are members of the Nymphalidae family, the brush-footed butterflies. The name ‘brush-footed’ refers to the manner in which the front pair of legs of adults are shortened and covered in hairs, suggesting a little bottlebrush. Buckeyes are named for the eye spots on their wings, perhaps a ploy to disconcert predators, allowing the butterfly a few moments to effect an escape.
As I spotted the Buckeye on Monday, after tropical storm Irene blew through south of here, Seabrooke suggested that perhaps this individual had been pushed north by the storm.
Postscript: I have learned that Buckeyes have been seen across southern Ontario over the past few weeks, but this sighting was the first recorded for my area, southeastern Ontario.
Willow House Chronicles 
What a beautiful creature, and, who knows, maybe all of the ones that have been spotted in Southern Ontario were pushed ahead of the storm by some strange force known only to butterflies.
Sheri – I’ve read that red streak butterflies are moving north from their usual habitat as temps rise with climate change. Perhaps that could be another consideration as to why you saw that beautiful buckeye. It is a great shot. — barbara
Louise, I think it is a phenomenon that happens some years for unknown reasons, but who knows.
Barbara, perhaps you’re right. The effects of climate change will take time for scientists to understand.
[…] in eastern Ontario, and nearly all the records are from the southern edge of the province. My mom spotted one last year at her place just fifteen minutes north of the St. Lawrence. It was the first one […]