(Fabricius, 1793)
Great Sooty Satyr
Description:
In the mountains, the Great Sooty Satyr is mostly found in open, dry, rocky places with grassy vegetation. At lower altitudes, the butterflies occur in open clearings in woods, or at wood edges. They can often be seen drinking nectar on such flowers as thistles and scabious (Knautia spp.).
The female lays her eggs low down on dry grass stems. The caterpillars hibernate when still quite small, and pupate in May or June. Sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina) is the most important food plant, but other fescues (Festuca spp.), false-bromes (Brachypodium spp.), and bromes (Bromus spp.) are probably also used.
Habitat:
Alpine grasslands
Dry siliceous grasslands
Dry calcareous grasslands
Screes
Alluvial and very wet forest
Deciduous forests
Similar species:
Satyrus actaea
Minois dryas