Hipparchia genava

Last updated

Hipparchia genava
Satyrinae - Hipparchia cf, genava.JPG
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Hipparchia
Species:
H. genava
Binomial name
Hipparchia genava
(Fruhstorfer, 1908)
Synonyms
  • Eumenis fagi genavaFruhstorfer, 1908
  • Hipparchia hermione genava(Fruhstorfer 1908)

Hipparchia genava, the lesser rock grayling, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. [1]

Contents

Taxonomy

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]

Distribution

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]

Habitat

These butterflies live in open woodland with grass, [5] in dry grassland slopes, in nutrient-poor grasslands and in rocky areas. [3]

Description

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]

Biology

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]

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

Meadow brown Species of butterfly

The meadow brown is a butterfly found in the Palearctic realm. Its range includes Europe south of 62°N, Russia eastwards to the Urals, Asia Minor, Iraq, Iran, North Africa and the Canary Islands. The larvae feed on grasses.

Chalkhill blue Species of butterfly

The chalkhill blue is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is a small butterfly that can be found throughout the Palearctic realm, where it occurs primarily in grasslands rich in chalk. Males have a pale blue colour, while females are dark brown. Both have chequered fringes around their wings.

<i>Melanargia galathea</i> Species of butterfly

Melanargia galathea, the marbled white, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.

Grayling (butterfly)

The grayling or rock grayling is a species in the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Although found all over Europe, the grayling mostly inhabits coastal areas, with inland populations declining significantly in recent years. The grayling lives in dry and warm habitats with easy access to the sun, which helps them with body temperature regulation.

<i>Colias alfacariensis</i> Species of butterfly

Colias alfacariensis, Berger's clouded yellow, is a butterfly of the family Pieridae. It was separated from the pale clouded yellow, C. hyale, in 1905. Berger's clouded yellow is a Palearctic species (South and Central Europe, South Russia, Russian Far East, Siberia Central Asia and temperate China also Asia Minor, Caucasus and Transcaucasia.

<i>Acraea terpsicore</i> Species of butterfly

Acraea terpsicore, the tawny coster, is a small, 53–64 millimetres (2.1–2.5 in), leathery-winged butterfly common in grassland and scrub habitats. It belongs to the Nymphalidae or brush-footed butterfly family. It has a weak fluttery flight. It is avoided by most insect predators. This species and the yellow coster are the only two Indian representatives of the predominantly African tribe Acraeini. It is found in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, and recently Australia

<i>Taractrocera maevius</i> Species of butterfly

Taractrocera maevius, the common grass dart, is a butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae found in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

<i>Hipparchia</i> (butterfly) Genus of butterflies

Hipparchia is a genus of butterflies within the family Nymphalidae. The genus was erected by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1807.

<i>Arhopala bazaloides</i> Species of butterfly

Arhopala bazaloides, the Tamil oakblue, is a species of lycaenid or blue butterfly found in Asia. Also known as Lycaenidae, they are members of the superfamily Papilionoidea, the true butterflies. This family has approximately 4,700 species that are unevenly distributed throughout the world, however the distribution of the Tamil oakblue is limited only to India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Hipparchia azorina, the Azores grayling, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is endemic to the Azores. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and temperate grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<i>Erebia medusa</i> Species of butterfly

Erebia medusa, the woodland ringlet, is a member of the subfamily Satyrinae of the family Nymphalidae.

Marbled ringlet Species of butterfly

The marbled ringlet is a member of the subfamily Satyrinae of the family Nymphalidae.

<i>Siona lineata</i> Species of moth

Siona lineata, the black-veined moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in his 1763 Entomologia Carniolica.

<i>Hipparchia hermione</i> Species of butterfly

Hipparchia hermione, the rock grayling, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. The species can be found in Central Europe, Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, North Africa, Anatolia and the Caucasus.

<i>Hipparchia fagi</i> Species of butterfly

Hipparchia fagi, the woodland grayling, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

<i>Hipparchia statilinus</i> Species of butterfly

Hipparchia statilinus, the tree grayling, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

<i>Hipparchia fidia</i> Species of butterfly

Hipparchia fidia, the striped grayling, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found on the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands and in south-eastern France and the bordering parts of Italy and North Africa.

<i>Satyrus ferula</i> Species of butterfly

Satyrus ferula, the great sooty satyr, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

<i>Hipparchia neomiris</i> Species of butterfly

Hipparchia neomiris, the Corsican grayling, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is an endemic species confined to the islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Elba. The Corsican grayling flies in July.

<i>Brintesia</i> Genus of butterflies

Brintesia is a monotypic butterfly genus in the family Nymphalidae and subfamily Satyrinae. Its one species is Brintesia circe, the great banded grayling.

References

  1. Catalogue of life
  2. E. Balletto, L. A. Cassulo & S. Bonelli An annotated Checklist of the Italian Butterflies and Skippers (Papilionoidea, Hesperiioidea) Magnolia Press - Auckland, New Zealand (2014)
  3. 1 2 3 4 Lepidoptera and their ecology
  4. Info Fauna
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Euro Butterflies by Matt Rowlings
  6. Natura Mediterraneo
  7. Papillons de Poitou-Charentes