The Lesser Rock Grayling (Hipparchia genava) is a common insect in the Nympalidae family of brush-footed butterflies.
The Lesser Rock Grayling is dark-brown on the upperside of its wings with a large, whitish band and a white fringe. The underside also has a large, white band, usually with an eyespot. Its body is furry and brown.
Its wingspan measures about 3 centimetres (1 inch).
The Lesser Rock Grayling is found in Italy, France, and south-western Switzerland. It prefers open woodlands with grass in dry habitats.
The caterpillar eats leaves, and the adult butterfly sips nectar from flowers.
The adult female lay eggs on the leaves of plants. The eggs hatch into larvae (caterpillars) in May. The larvae feeds on plants and pupates in June by spinning a casing, called a chrysalis, in the ground. The adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis from June to August.
Location of photographs: Paris, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM