Great Banded Grayling
Common NameGreat Banded Grayling
Scientific NameBrintesia circe
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)75
Primary Colorsdark brown, white, black
HabitatOpen woodlands, rocky slopes, dry grasslands, scrubland
Geographic RangeSouthern Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Middle East
Host Plantsvarious grasses (Poaceae)
Flight PeriodJune to September
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on various grasses and overwinter as young caterpillars. Pupation occurs in spring, with adults emerging in summer.
Identification TipsKey features include its large size, dark wings with a broad, contrasting white band, and often a single small eyespot on the hindwing within the white band. The cryptic underside helps it blend with tree bark.
Description
A large, robust butterfly with dark brown to black wings featuring a prominent, broad white band across both forewings and hindwings, often with small black eyespots within the white band on the hindwing.
