| Hipparchia genava | |
|---|---|
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| specimen Museo Tazzetti | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Nymphalidae |
| Genus: | Hipparchia |
| Species: | H. genava |
| Binomial name | |
| Hipparchia genava (Fruhstorfer, 1908) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Hipparchia genava, the lesser rock grayling, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. [1]
Some authors consider this species separate from Hipparchia alcyone , mainly on the basis of larval morphology, but doubts are still raised by other authors. Some DNA study should clarify the situation. [2]
This species can be found only in Italy, in France (Alps, Massif Central, Jura) and in southwestern Switzerland. However the distribution is poorly known. [3] [4] [5]
These butterflies live in open woodland with grass, [5] in dry grassland slopes, in nutrient-poor grasslands and in rocky areas. [3]
Hipparchia genava has a wingspan of about 30 millimetres (1.2 in). The basic color of the upperside of the wings is dark brown, with a large whitish band and a white fringe. The underside of the hindwings shows a large white band with a large indent in the middle. Also the underside of the forewings has a white band, usually with an indent below an apical eyespot. [5]
This species is rather similar to Hipparchia fagi and Hipparchia alcyone . These three species can be separated on the basis of their different distribution or by an inspection of the genitalia of the male. [3] [5] In particular, it is necessary to examine the Jullien's organs, a structure located at the end of the abdomen of the male, close to the genitalia, comprising a series of small black batons. Hipparchia genava have 7-12 black batons. Hipparchia fagi from 2 to 4, Hipparchia alcyone from 15 to 25. [6]
Adults fly from June to August. [5] [7] The caterpillars feed on grasses ( Poaceae ) ( Festuca ovina , etc.). This species hibernates as a caterpillar. Larvae are mature in May and June. [3]