A large black butterfly with prominent white bands on both wings, upperside and underside. Males and females are similar. It could be confused with species in the genius Hipparchia, which are smaller, and species which are similarly marked have solid white bands, rather than forewing white band which is broken, rather than a continuous band, and without the two white marks along the costa of the underside. Their hindwing underside is cryptic, rather than a prominent white postdiscal band, and a white discal band.
Often seen in shady wooded areas and more frequently at higher altitudes. Having said this some CBC members have sent photographs of this species nectaring on Buddliea davidii in their gardens.
Petrorhagia saxifraga, Barren Brome Anisantha sterilis, Anthoxanthum aristatum,
Anthoxanthum gracile, Sweet Vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, Anthoxanthum ovatum, Italian Rye Grass Lolium multiflorum, Perennial Rye Grass Lolium perenne, Lolium rigidum, Lolium temulentum, Saxifraga adscendens, Saxifraga adscendens subsp. parnassica, Saxifraga carpetana, Saxifraga carpetana subsp. graeca, Saxifraga hederacea, Saxifraga rotundifolia, Saxifraga rotundifolia subsp. chrysospleniifolia, Saxifraga rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia, Rue-leaved Saxifrage Saxifraga tridactylites.
A large, strong flyer, that is easy to identify in flight because of the distinctive black and white wing pattern.
*The information provided in the tables below is based on verified sightings of the Great Banded Grayling submitted via this website since 1st January 2021.
Year | First | Last/latest | # Days |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | 07/06/2023 | 08/06/2023 | 1 days |
2022 | 27/05/2022 | 30/10/2022 | 156 days |
2021 | 29/05/2021 | 12/10/2021 | 136 days |
Year | Number of observations |
---|---|
2023 | 2 |
2022 | 107 |
2021 | 106 |
Grand Total | 215 |
The chart below shows flight data by month for 2023 submitted online since 1st January 2023 to 8th June 2023.
The chart below shows flight data by month based on all data submitted online since 1st January 2019 to 8th June 2023.
For a list of references, please see our bibliography page.