The Hermit
Common NameThe Hermit
Scientific NameChazara briseis
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)50
Primary Colorsbrown, cream, black
HabitatDry grasslands, rocky slopes, scrubland, open woodlands
Geographic RangeSouthern and Central Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, Central Asia
Host Plantsvarious grasses (e.g., Brachypodium, Festuca, Stipa)
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUnivoltine, with eggs laid singly on host grasses. Larvae feed on grasses and overwinter as caterpillars, pupating on the ground.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive mottled brown and cream underside with a single large black eyespot on the forewing and scalloped wing edges. Often seen resting with wings closed.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with a highly cryptic, mottled brown and cream underside, featuring a prominent black eyespot on the forewing and scalloped wing margins.
