The infra tribe Neosatyriti is the most diverse butterfly group in South America's temperate rainforests and grasslands, with 57 species from Patagonia to northern Peru, up to 5000 m above sea level. Their systematics and evolutionary history remain unclear. We confirm a common ancestor and trace their spread across the continent using molecular, morphological and ecological data. They diversified in Chile (c. 12–11 Ma), reached Brazil (c. 6–5 Ma), and the Andes and Patagonia (c. 3 Ma), coinciding with temperate grassland evolution. (Photographs by P. Boyer and T. W. Pyrcz.)