Hipparchia mersina

Samos Grayling

euroButterflies

by Matt Rowlings

copyright © 2003-2024

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

Field notes and information

An eastern species, reaching Europe only on the islands of Samos and Lesbos just a few kms from the Turkish mainland.

Identification & Similar species: The grayling H. senthes also flies on Samos. The current species is greyer and of fairly uniform coloration with weak or even absent markings on the underside.

Distribution & Flight: In Europe confined to Samos and Lesbos.

Habitat & Behaviour: Flies at the highest levels on the island around the tree line at about 1000m. They are supposed to occur lower down but we didn't find any.

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2002

A lucky shot as the butterfly flicks its wings revealing the usually stubbornly guarded upperside.

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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 2002

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Samos, Greece, June 2018

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Samos, Greece, June 2002