Montes Universales, Spain, July 2011
Vaud, Switzerland, August 2018
Field notes and information
A very widespread and common species over most of Europe and north Africa, absent only from the northern Arctic in this region.
Identification & Similar species: The lack of a submarginal line on the underside hindwing and the presence of small white centred brown spots are distinctive.
Distribution & Flight: Everywhere upto low alpine levels, except the northern Arctic. Flies in multiple generations depending on season, location and altitude in all warm months of the year.
Habitat & Behaviour: It likes fairly dry grassy places in a very wide range of situations. It flies erratically and close to the ground. When at rest it never opens its wings.
Variation: There are several variants that generally affect the underside hindwing. The ground colour can vary from grey to brown and the intensity of the markings can vary greatly.
Chalkidiki, Greece, May 2004
Unheard of until now...? At rest with wings open. I think the deformity of the thorax prevented it from closing its wings.
High Atlas, Morocco, August 2019
Middle Atlas, Morocco, August 2019
Vaud, Switzerland, April 2020
Valais, Switzerland, May 2022
Valais, Switzerland, July 2022
Sicily, Italy, May 2018
Corsica, France, July 2012
Peloppensos, Greece, July 2018
Valais, Switzerland, June 2011
Valais, Switzerland, April 2017
Valais, Switzerland, July 2006
Montes Universales, Spain, July 2011
Var, France, April 2007
Valais, Switzerland, June 2006
Valais, Switzerland, May 2012
Valais, Switzerland, June 2013
Vaud, Switzerland, June 2012
Cote d'Or, France, June 2005
Var, France, May 2004