Tree Grayling (hipparchia statilinus)
2008 photos highlighted green. Click on any photo to go to an enlarged picture, or simply scroll down the page.
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| 9358_male_Var_30Aug07 | 9383_male_Var_30Aug07 | 9424_male_Var_3Sep07 |
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| 3592_male_Var_10Aug06 | 9555_pair_Var_5Sep07 | 9559_female_Var_5Sep07 |
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| 14100_female_Var_2Sep08 | 14378_female_Var_20Sep08 |
On previous holidays to southern Var in late July I had seen statilinus only occasionally and in limited numbers and had assumed it to be not an abundant species. Lafranchis gives the flight period as August to mid-October, while T&L says the main flight period is late July to early August in southern localities, but having spent most of the summers of 2006 to 2008 in Var, it did not seem to emerge much before early August and its peak emergence was clearly in September when it became extremely common and widespread. The underside is quite variable, especially the unh discal line, which is much stronger in the male which has a lighter post-discal band, giving a greater contrast, and the female often has a very feint discal line, sometimes almost non-existent. Statilinus often flies in company with the False Grayling (arethusana arethusa). It really is a mis-named butterfly as it has very little connection with trees, usually settling in hot weather on roads or low ground, often stones and rocks, but usually in positions which make getting photos difficult.
9358: a male, despite the weak discal line and pale basal area. The darkness of the submarginal area and the contrast of the lighter spots strongly suggest male, though. This is a very variable species, even within the same locality. Altitude 780m.
9383: a male, even though there is limited contrast. The just-visible body looks quite long, indicating male. The pose also suggest male. Altitude 780m.
9424: a male, rather worn but still indicative of the normally quite dull markings. Altitude 780m.
3592: a male, quite fresh and with a nice clear discal line. Altitude 780m.
9555: a pair engaged in courtship, hence the open wings. The male is on the left and the female on the right with open wings, clearly identifiable from the upperside markings as female, as well on body shape. Altitude 920m.
9559: a female, with virtually no contrast within the unh. Altitude 920m.
14100: a more attractive female with nice light contrasted markings.
14378: a dull and rather battered female, interesting because it is egg-laying, although not clear on what.
