Eastern Large Heath (Coenonympha rhodopensis)

Species

Male. Taken at Smolyan Lakes, Bulgaria, on June 22nd 2014.
(1/250th sec at f13. © David Hastings)

Description

Family: Satyrinae

Wing span: 35 - 40mm

This species closely resembles the Large Heath. It never opens its wings at rest. The sexes are similar.

It has a sporadic distribution from central Italy to the northen Balkan mountains, and from the Adriatic to the Black Sea.

Typical habitats are alpine fields above the tree line, road verges, light shrubland and damp forest clearings between 1000 and 2500m.

There is one brood between June and August.

Larvae feed on grasses.

Sightings