Tree Grayling
Common NameTree Grayling
Scientific NameHipparchia statilinus
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)52.5
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, gray, beige
HabitatDry grasslands, heathlands, open woodlands, rocky slopes, scrub
Geographic RangeSouthern and Central Europe, North Africa, parts of Western Asia
Host PlantsBrachypodium, Festuca, Poa
Flight PeriodLate July to October
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe species typically has one generation per year. Eggs are laid on grasses, and the larvae feed on various grasses, overwintering as caterpillars before pupating in the spring.
Identification TipsLook for its excellent camouflage, the scalloped hindwing margin, and its habit of resting on the ground or tree trunks. The faint, often obscured, eyespot on the forewing underside can also be a clue.
Description
This butterfly has a highly cryptic underside, mottled with shades of brown, gray, and beige, perfectly camouflaging it against dry ground or tree bark. Its hindwings have a distinctive scalloped edge.
