Erebia aethiops (Esper, 1777) Species
Last modified: Dec. 5, 2024, 3:41 p.m.
A local species in the south of Belgium. Known from two southern provinces only, mainly present in a few localities in NA. Because it is known from less than 20% of the past distribution only, it is indicated as critically endangered on the Walloon red list!
Details
- Classification
- Family: Nymphalidae > Subfamily: Satyrinae > Tribus: Erebiini > Genus: Erebia > Species: Erebia aethiops
- Vernacular names
- Zomererebia (NL), Scotch Argus (EN), Moiré sylvicole (FR), Graubindiger Mohrenfalter (DE)
- Synonyms
- Erebia blandina (Fabricius, 1787)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1857a. Catalogue des Insectes Lépidoptères de la Belgique. — Annales de la Société entomologique belge 1: 1–111. On page 27.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The larva overwinters in the 2nd or 3rd stage. The eggs are laid on or near the host plant.
Flight periods
The adults fly in one generation a year from late June to late August, with a peak from late July to early August.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Molinia caerulea
- Host plant (genera):
- Festuca
The larva lives on various Poaceae including Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium pinnatum (egg laying observed in Wallonia), Briza media, Bromus erectus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Phleum pratense, Poa annua, Poa trivialis and Sesleria caerulea. Egg laying is also observed on Juniperus communis in Wallonia.
Habitat
The species frequents lawns partly reforested by juniper, pines and deciduous trees with an understorey rich in grasses and flowering plants. This habitat corresponds to an intermediate stage of natural evolution of limestone lawns.
