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Species account
Grayling
(Hipparchia semele)
Linnaeus (1758)
Brushfoots (Nymphalidae)
GRAY
24893
Sandrandøje (dk)
Sátiro Común (es)
Sandgräsfjäril (se)
Measurements:
WS: 44-55mm
Generations:
1
Flight period:
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Identification:
Male is smaller than the female. The upperside is more diffusely marked with little contrast and smaller eyespots. The female upperside shows a bright beige-yellow background to the two eyespots.
Below the male forewing has a golden-yellow base color and two eyespots. The female base color is split in two golden-yellow distally and orangey centrally.
On the underside the sexes are similar but in general there exists a great variety two the otherwise greatly cryptic pattern presented in sandy colors creating a remarkably camouflage effect.
In Nordic region not likely to be confused with other species.
Below the male forewing has a golden-yellow base color and two eyespots. The female base color is split in two golden-yellow distally and orangey centrally.
On the underside the sexes are similar but in general there exists a great variety two the otherwise greatly cryptic pattern presented in sandy colors creating a remarkably camouflage effect.
In Nordic region not likely to be confused with other species.
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
Most of Europe.
Habitat:
Warm and dry heath or sandy or rocky terrain with sparse vegetation. Often near coasts.
Behavior:
Rarely shows the upperside. When landing it often has the forewings lifted revealing the top part with the upper eyespot, but soon after it will lower the wing, so that only the backside of the hindwing is visible.
To complete its camouflage technique it moves the wings according to the sun, so that they don't leave any shadow on the ground.
To complete its camouflage technique it moves the wings according to the sun, so that they don't leave any shadow on the ground.
Status:
Common in Denmark along the coasts. Earlier also inland, but is here declining. The same is the case in Sweden.
Comment:
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1283
(11 photos)
2020-08-16 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago 9 different animals from the same day. The variety of the underwing is great within this species. Photo 1: The cryptic pattern in sand colors makes for the perfect camouflage. Photo 2-3: On Hedelyng (Calluna vulgaris) [Heather ~ Brecina ~ Ljung] Photo 4: On Hedelyng, showing the hindwing eyespot. Photo 5: On twigs. Photo 6-7: On Hedelyng. A faster shutter speed would have shown the two forewing eyespots better. Photo 8: On twigs. Photo 9: On Hedelyng. Photo 10: On Hedelyng. Photo 11: On twigs. |
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948
(1 photos)
2022-07-12 Horna Grushåla (Åhus), Sweden Imago |
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1944
(5 photos)
2023-07-25 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago Attracted by a sweaty hat I could play a little with this animal. |
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1945
(1 photos)
2023-07-25 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago |
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1947
(1 photos)
2023-07-25 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago |
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1946
(1 photos)
2023-07-25 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago |
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1948
(2 photos)
2023-07-25 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago |
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1949
(1 photos)
2023-07-25 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago |
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1950
(1 photos)
2023-07-25 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago |
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1951
(1 photos)
2023-07-25 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago |
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1952
(1 photos)
2023-07-25 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago |