Pyronia tithonus

Gatekeeper

euroButterflies

by Matt Rowlings

copyright © 2003-2024

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S Greece, July 2018

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Montes Universales, Spain, July 2011

Field notes and information

This is a summer butterfly of roadsides and flowery places across central and southern Europe. It is often very common and is usually found feeding at flowers.

Identification & Similar species: The underside white pupilled brown spots are distinctive on the broken pale cream-brown post discal band.

Distribution & Flight: Spain to south UK and eastwards through south Poland to Greece. Also from a small area of Morocco and the islands of Corsica and Sardinia.

Habitat & Behaviour: Diverse. Grassy flowery places, waste ground, towns etc.

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Burgos, Spain, July 2011

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Huesca, Spain, July 2017

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Madrid, Spain, July 2011

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Ain, France, August 2018

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Huesca, Spain, July 2017

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S Greece, July 2018

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S Greece, July 2018

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Corisca, France, July 2012

With a common blue Polyommatus icarus.

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Burgos, Spain, July 2011

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Montes Universales, Spain, July 2011

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Gennargentu, Sardinia, Italy, July 2015

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Var, France, July 2010