Taken near Petrovo, Bulgaria, on July 21st 2015. (© David Hastings)
(1/250th sec at f14)

Description

Family: Satyrinae

Wing span: 65 - 75mm

A large butterfly. The forewing underside has a whitish postmedian band. The hindwing underside is mottled with fine striations. The sexes are similar.

It is widespread and fairly common in the Balkans, S Greece, Cyprus and eastwards to the Caucasus.

It can be found in sparse coniferous woodland and oak forests, forest clearings and margins, open scrub, rough grasslands and hills up to 2000m.

There is one brood per year between May and September.

The larva feeds on grasses.

Adults always rest with their wings closed.

Sightings