Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011
Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011
This injured female gave us a privileged glimpse of the upperside.
Field notes and information
Formerly subspecies of the Canary Grayling H. wyssii DNA analysis shows that a different species flies on each of the five western Canary Islands. These may be semi-species forming a super-species group, but that distinction is in the domain of the taxonomist. It must be said that visually all these taxa are extremely similar.
The new classification is as follows:
H. tamadabae from Gran Canaria.
H. wyssii from Tenerife.
H. tilosi from La Palma.
H. gomera from Gomera.
H. bacchus from Hierro.
Identification & Similar species: Location (island) separates this group of five species from one another. No other similar species fly in the Canaries.
Distribution & Flight: The current species is the earliest on the wing, being found from April at lower levels in the south of the Gran Canaria into late summer in a single brood.
Habitat & Behaviour: Flies on rocky mountain slopes with grasses and flowers - a description which actually describes most of the southern and upper parts of the island! Very sensitive to approach as it rests on rocks where it is extremely well camouflaged.
Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011
Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011
Habitat shared with the Canary blue C. webbianus.
Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011
The butterflies flew at the sound of the camera shutter. Note the dark sex brand of the male.
Gran Canaria, Spain, March 2016
The blue sheen changes with the angle.
Gran Canaria, Spain, March 2016
Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011
Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011
Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011
Gran Canaria, Spain, April 2011
Gran Canaria, Spain, March 2016