A large butterfly of southerly distribution with distinct spots on its upperside. The male is similar to the Black Satyr, but the ranges of the two species only overlap in southern France so identification is fairly straightforward in most places. The upperside can also resemble that of a Dryad but the two small white spots between the larger ringed spots on the forewing are distinctive. This is one species where sexual dimorphism is so strong the males and females could be mistaken for being different species.

Distribution: Patchily distributed from Lerida in Spain eastwards, through southern France, southern Switzerland, parts of Italy, the western Balkans and Greece.

Flight Period: Mid June- early August in 1 brood.

Habitat: Dry grassland, woodland clearings and scrub, usually quite in stony or rocky areas, from 400m upwards to 1800m.

Foodplants: Sheep’s Fescue (Festuca ovina).

Nectar Sources: Knapweeds (Centaurea), thymes (Thymus), thistles (Cirsium), Allium, clovers (Trifolium), scabiouses (Knautia) etc.

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