Pyronia cecilia

Southern Gatekeeper

euroButterflies

by Matt Rowlings

copyright © 2003-2024

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Huesca, Spain, July 2017

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Huesca, Spain, July 2017

Field notes and information

A species of hot dry grasslands in Mediterranean regions. It can be very common.

Identification & Similar species: The mottled underside hindwing is distinctive. The male sex brand is also distinctive, the orange wing veins resembling the veins of a leaf.

Distribution & Flight: North Africa and Mediterranean regions from Spain, France, Italy to Greece. Flies from June to August.

Habitat & Behaviour: Hot dry rocky grasslands and scrub. Often takes shade in the heat of the day, below bushes, base of grass tufts, sheltered gullies, rock faces etc.

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Madrid, Spain, July 2011

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Malaga, Spain, May 2019

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High Atlas, Morocco, August 2019

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Malaga, Spain, May 2019

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Madrid, Spain, July 2011

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Malaga, Spain, May 2019

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Malaga, Spain, May 2019

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Montes Universales, Spain, July 2011

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Huesca, Spain, July 2017

With P. tithonus and C. dorus, Gatekeeper and Dusky Heath

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Huesca, Spain, July 2017

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Prov. Malaga, Spain, July 2013

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Huesca, Spain, July 2017

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Prov. Malaga, Spain, May 2008

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Var, France, August 2004

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High Atlas, Morocco, July 2005