(Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775)
False Grayling
Description:
The False Grayling is an inconspicuous butterfly. It occurs on warm, poor grasslands, often situated near the edges of woodland or scrub, on both calcareous and acid soils.
The female drops her eggs at random into the vegetation, leaving the young caterpillars to choose what to eat. They feed on different grasses, including Upright Brome (Bromus erectus), Gray Hair-grass (Corynephorus canescens), Tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum), Crested Dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus), and fescues (Festuca spp.). The caterpillars hibernate in the first larval instar. They pupate in a grass tussock and have one brood a year.
Habitat:
Dry siliceous grasslands
Dry calcareous grasslands
Similar species:
Pseudochazara graeca
Pseudochazara orestes