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Pseudochazara atlantis

Moroccan Grayling

Field Notes

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High Atlas, Morocco, July 2005

 

High Atlas, Morocco, July 2005
 

High Atlas, Morocco, July 2005
 

Middle Atlas, Morocco, June 2005
 

High Atlas, Morocco, July 2005
 

High Atlas, Morocco, July 2005

 

This Grayling is confined to the mountains of Morocco where it flies from moderate levels to very high altitudes. We found it most commonly at 2000m and upto 3000m in one place.

It is unmistakable in flight showing broad warm orange bands on the upperside as it flits and glides across bone dry rocky slopes at the height of the summer. By contrast, when it settles its mottled underside markings offer superb camouflage against the rocks. The colouration matches the rocks very well, an adaptive feature that I still find amazing. It is most likely too butterfly chooses the best coloured rocks to sit upon to maximise the camouflage.

It is fond of thistles as a food source and is also rather partial to Scabious.

 

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