Great Sooty Satyr
Common NameGreat Sooty Satyr
Scientific NameSatyrus ferula
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)50
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, white
HabitatRocky grasslands, dry slopes, open woodlands, scrubland
Geographic RangeSouthern Europe, Central Asia, parts of the Middle East
Host Plantsvarious grasses (Poaceae)
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on host grasses. Larvae feed on grasses and overwinter before pupating. Adults emerge in early summer.
Identification TipsLook for the overall dull brown coloration, the single large black eyespot on the forewing, and the characteristic pale, wavy band on the underside of the hindwing, which is often more prominent than on the upperside.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with dull brown to greyish-brown wings, featuring a prominent black eyespot with a white pupil on the forewing and a distinct whitish band across the underside of the hindwing.
