(Staudinger, 1871)
Eastern Rock Grayling
Description:
The Eastern Rock Grayling looks very much like the Woodland Grayling (H. fagi), and they occur together in some places.. This butterfly is a species of scrub and light woodland of all sorts, deciduous, coniferous and mixed. At the hottest part of the day, the butterflies hardly fly at all, resting with closed wings on the shadow side of the tree trunk, or on the ground where they blend into their surroundings. They hardly ever visit flowers. Their flight is quick and powerful. The caterpillars feed on grasses.
Although single-brooded, they can be seen from May until September. The butterflies may be inactive during the hot, dry summer.
Habitat:
Evergreen woodland
Dry calcareous grasslands
Mixed woodland
Coniferous woodland
Deciduous forests
Similar species:
Hipparchia fagi