Muschampia proto

Bouches du Rhône, France, August 2004

Bouches du Rhône, France, August 2004

Montes Universales, Spain, August 2003

Same butterfly but different angle reveals pinkish reflections.

This is a widespread species found in very dry grassy places across southern Europe. It is common in Spain, less so in France and Greece. I think it is widespread throughout but its penchant for extremely dry burnt up places probably means I don't usually encounter it on my searches in higher or lusher areas that hold a greater variety of butterflies. Usually it doesn't occur with many other species. Indeed, most of my site records containing this species are very small, perhaps 3 or 4 other species of the other dry habitat specialists the Graylings, Satyridae. Only in the Montes Universales have I found it with a greater number of other species from across most of the butterfly families.

It is fairly distinctive in my experience. The uppersides are a soft black, unlike the genus Pyrgus, and have a soft furry appearance. The upperside hindwing markings are prominent but also furred over. The underside has a distinct discal band that usually traverses the whole wing but may taper in the male. Similar species are all rare and exceedingly local with very restricted European or north African distributions.

Sage Skipper