Lasiommata megera (Linnaeus, 1767) Species
Last modified: June 8, 2025, 11:32 a.m.
A rather common species throughout Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Nymphalidae > Subfamily: Satyrinae > Tribus: Elymniini > Genus: Lasiommata > Species: Lasiommata megera
- Vernacular names
- Argusvlinder (NL), The Wall (EN), Satyre (FR), Mauerfuchs (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1837. Catalogue des Lépidoptères ou Papillons de la Belgique, précédé du tableau des Libellulines de ce pays. — — : 1–29. On page 19 (as Satyrus Megœra [sic]). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The eggs are laid at the base of very short grasses in a sunny, warm place. The green-colored caterpillars feed on the young shoots at night, while the older caterpillars are also active during the day. The half-grown caterpillars of the last generation hide under plants to overwinter.
The full-grown caterpillars spin themselves in a green cocoon attached to the underside of a twig or leaf on higher vegetation. After 2 to 3 weeks, they emerge as imago.
Flight periods
The adults fly in two generations a year from late April till mid-June, and from mid-June till the beginning of September. In favourable years a third generation occurs from the beginning of September till the beginning of November.
Observed on
- Host plant (genera):
- Dactylis, Deschampsia, Holcus and Agrostis
- Substrates:
- Grasses
The larva lives on Gramineae.
Habitat
It inhabits warm, semi-natural meadows with open sandy areas where they can easily warm up.
