Grayling

Grayling

Grayling butterfly,camouflaged

Grayling

Grayling

Grayling butterfly,camouflaged

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Latin: Hipparchia semele hibernica

Irish: Glasán

The Grayling is a species that is locally common in the area with a resident population on the sand dunes in and alongside the Raven Wood. Single-brooded, this large, and when at rest, beautifully camouflaged butterfly is recognized in Ireland as a sub-species which is a warmer brown-ground colour than its counterpart in Britain.
 

Eggs are laid locally and hatch after ten to twenty days. The caterpillar then feeds on the tips of grass blades and when about half-grown goes into hibernation. The following spring it resumes feeding prior to entering the chrysalis stage, which lasts for about a month.