Diet

• Caterpillars feed on grasses (Poaceae).

• Adults feed mainly on rotting fruit, tree sap, dung and other fermenting organic material, although they occasionally visit flowers for nectar.

Range

• Hermeuptychia hermes has a broad Neotropical distribution extending from Mexico and Central America through much of northern and central South America, including Brazil, Bolivia and Suriname.

• In Mexico, it occurs along both the Pacific and Gulf regions, including Guerrero. It occurs in the Zihua area, where suitable grassy clearings and woodland edges provide appropriate habitat. 

Habitat

• The Hermes Satyr favours open or semi-open habitats associated with grasses, including forest edges, clearings, grassy paths, shaded lawns and secondary vegetation.

• It can also occur within relatively open woodland and along the margins of tropical forest.

• Adults typically remain close to the ground and frequently rest on low vegetation or blades of grass.

Description

• This is a small satyr with a wingspan of approximately 30–35 mm.

• The upper surface is relatively plain, dull brown, with only faint markings. This subdued appearance makes it easy to overlook when the wings are open.

• The underside is considerably more distinctive. Both wings have several small, black eyespots surrounded by yellowish rings, arranged in rows along the outer portions of the wings.

• The hindwing normally has about six prominent eyespots, while the forewing has about five smaller ones. Fine, wavy brown lines cross the pale brown underside between the eyespots.

• Its small size, plain brown upper surface and numerous yellow-ringed eyespots underneath are characteristic of the species.