Hipparchia cypriensis

This is one of the 3 butterflies I've featured that are not covered by Tolman (1997). It flies only on Cyprus which is, admittedly, well removed from the rest of Europe and is probably better associated with the Middle East.

It is one of the earliest of this genus to fly in my experience. Usually they do not start flying until June but we found these in Cyprus near the end of April. In the exceptionally poor weather we experienced during our week long visit the butterflies we did find were easy to photograph in the cool dark conditions. As with many of the actively speciating genus Hipparchia it is practically indistinguishable from its relatives and the best guide to its identity is its origin.

Cyprus Grayling