![Photo: pamphilus23.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus23.jpg)
Montes Universales, Spain, July 2011
![Photo: pamphilus33.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus33.jpg)
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.
![Photo: pamphilus5.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus5.jpg)
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.
![Photo: pamphilus35.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus35.jpg)
![Photo: pamphilus34.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus34.jpg)
High Atlas, Morocco, August 2019
![Photo: pamphilus36.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus36.jpg)
Middle Atlas, Morocco, August 2019
![Photo: pamphilus37.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus37.jpg)
Vaud, Switzerland, April 2020
![Photo: pamphilus39.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus39.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2022
![Photo: pamphilus40.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus40.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2022
![Photo: pamphilus31.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus31.jpg)
Sicily, Italy, May 2018
![Photo: pamphilus26.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus26.jpg)
Corsica, France, July 2012
![Photo: pamphilus32.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus32.jpg)
Peloppensos, Greece, July 2018
![Photo: pamphilus20.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus20.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, June 2011
![Photo: pamphilus30.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus30.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, April 2017
![Photo: pamphilus7.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus7.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2006
![Photo: pamphilus22.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus22.jpg)
![Photo: pamphilus21.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus21.jpg)
Montes Universales, Spain, July 2011
![Photo: pamphilus17.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus17.jpg)
Var, France, April 2007
![Photo: pamphilus8.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus8.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, June 2006
![Photo: pamphilus24.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus24.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2012
![Photo: pamphilus28.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus28.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, June 2013
![Photo: pamphilus25.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus25.jpg)
Vaud, Switzerland, June 2012
![Photo: pamphilus27.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus27.jpg)
Cote d'Or, France, June 2005
![Photo: pamphilus1.jpg](../pics/p/pamphilus1.jpg)
Var, France, May 2004