Satyrium ledereri

Orange Banded Hairstreak

euroButterflies

by Matt Rowlings

copyright © 2003-2025

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

Field notes and information

In Europe, only found at the top of the two mountains of the Greek island of Samos.

Identification & Similar species: There are no other similar species.

Distribution & Flight: Only from Samos in Greece. It flies in June. We failed to find it on one of the two mountains on the island, Mt. Karvounis in 2002, so we had to undertake the grueling walk up Mt. Kerketefs (about 700m climb) in soaring temperatures - start very very early in the morning is my only advice. This is a very remote mountain and I wouldn't like to attempt it alone in case of accident.

In 2018 we revisited the island and were very happy to find the butterfly on Mt. Karvounis which is much more accessible (but still not easy) than Mt. Kerketefs.

Habitat & Behaviour: Sparsely vegetated, windswept, exposed mountain tops. Flies low over the ground.

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

Egg laying.

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2002

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

Larval food plant.

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

Courtship.

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

Three individuals on the preferred nectar source, Thymus - there aren't many alternative sources.