Helicta Satyr
Neonympha helicta

Helicta Satyr was described as a separate species by Ron Gatrelle in 1999. (The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey, Vol.1, No. 8, 15 July 1999). It is distinguished from Georgia Satyr (Neonympha areolatus) by VHW eye spots that are “round (especially in males) or ovate (especially in females), with little, if any, yellow pupiling. Antenna of Helicta tend to be more orange. In Georgia Satyr (areolatus), the VHW eye spots are elongate, irregularly narrow and tend to have yellow areas in the center of at least one or two spots.”(Gatrelle). Additionally, Georgia Satyr inhabits only wet or seasonally wet or soggy areas, usually with a sedge component. The stronghold of Helicta is the Sandhills, where they are found in dry fields or in dry openings in pine woods. The only record of Helicta Satyr is from Talbot County in a dry field with Andropogon and other grasses, (Michael Beohm) from June 25. The older records for Georgia Satyr from Bibb, Crawford and Bartow Counties may pertain to Helicta Satyr. Conservation Status: Probably secure since the available habitat is extensive.