Dusky Heath Butterfly - Coenonympha dorus

Phylum: Arthropoda - Class: Insecta - Order: Lepidoptera - Family: Nymphalidae

In common with other members of the 'Browns' group, this attractive butterfly, with a wingspan of 2.4 to 3.6cm),holds its wings together when at rest.

The Dusky Heath is one of 39 members of the Coenonympha genus that are currently listed worldwide, and of these 14 have so far been recorded in Europe.

Distribution

Dusky Heaths are fairly common on the Iberian Peninsula, and their geographic range also extends into southern France and parts of Italy. A subspecies occurs in North Africa, including parts of Algeria and Morocco, and some authorities class this as a separate species C. fettigii.

This butterfly does not ocur in Britain and Ireland.

Habitat

Look out for these lovely butterflies in hot, scrubby habitats and rocky hillsides.

Lifecycle

The eggs are laid singly on grasses (notably fescues and bents), and this species overwinters at the caterpillar stage. Dusky Heath butterflies can usually be seen on the wing between June and August.

Acknowledgements

This page includes pictures kindly contributed by Steve Jelf.

Studying butterflies and moths...

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