''Pyronia cecilia'', the southern gatekeeper, is a
butterfly
Butterflies are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the Order (biology), order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The ...
of
Southern Europe
Southern Europe is the southern regions of Europe, region of Europe. It is also known as Mediterranean Europe, as its geography is essentially marked by the Mediterranean Sea. Definitions of Southern Europe include some or all of these countrie ...
and
North Africa
North Africa, or Northern Africa is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. There is no singularly accepted scope for the region, and it is sometimes defined as stretching from the Atlantic shores of Mauritania in ...
. It is a member of the subfamily
Satyrinae
The Satyrinae, the satyrines or satyrids, commonly known as the browns, are a subfamily of the Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies). They were formerly considered a distinct family, Satyridae. This group contains nearly half of the known divers ...
in the family
Nymphalidae
The Nymphalidae are the largest family of butterflies, with more than 6,000 species distributed throughout most of the world. Belonging to the superfamily Papilionoidea, they are usually medium-sized to large butterflies. Most species have a red ...
.
"''Pyronia''_Hübner,_[1819]"
at_Markku_Savela's_''Lepidoptera_and_Some_Other_Life_Forms''
_Description
It_is_similar_in_appearance_to_the_gatekeeper_('' "''Pyronia''_Hübner,_[1819]"
at_Markku_Savela's_''Lepidoptera_and_Some_Other_Life_Forms''
_Description
It_is_similar_in_appearance_to_the_gatekeeper_(''Pyronia_tithonus">P._tithonus''),_which_is_found_further_north,_and_the_Spanish_gatekeeper_(''Pyronia_bathseba.html" ;"title="Pyronia_tithonus.html" ;"title="819]"">"''Pyronia'' Hübner, [1819]"
at Markku Savela's ''Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms''
Description
It is similar in appearance to the gatekeeper (''Pyronia tithonus">P. tithonus''), which is found further north, and the Spanish gatekeeper (''Pyronia bathseba">P. bathsheba''). The gatekeeper has spots on the underside of the hindwing which the southern gatekeeper lacks. The Spanish gatekeeper has quite a different underwing pattern with a prominent while band.
Sexual dimorphism
The southern gatekeeper, like many in subspecies Satyrinae
The Satyrinae, the satyrines or satyrids, commonly known as the browns, are a subfamily of the Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies). They were formerly considered a distinct family, Satyridae. This group contains nearly half of the known divers ...
, exhibits sexual dimorphism. The male is smaller than the female, the front wing of the male is 15 to 16 mm whereas a female front wing is 20 mm, and has a patch of scent-producing scales known as the androconia, which can be seen as a dark patch on the upperside of the forewing.
Pyronia cecilia MHNT CUT 2013 3 32 Solliès-Pont female dorsal.jpg, Female
Pyronia cecilia MHNT CUT 2013 3 32 Solliès-Pont female ventral.jpg, Female underside
Pyronia cecilia MHNT CUT 2013 3 32 Solliès-Pont male dorsal.jpg, Male
Pyronia cecilia MHNT CUT 2013 3 32 Solliès-Pont male ventral.jpg, Male underside
Distribution and habitat
The southern gatekeeper likes hot localities and is found in northern Africa and southern Europe; in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Portugal, Spain including Mallorca and Menorca, south-eastern France, Corsica, Sardinia, Elba, Italy, Sicily, Croatia, Albania, Greece and Turkey. It is usually found in rough, open areas in lowland regions although in some areas it occurs up to 2000 m.
Food plants
Food plants are grasses including ''Deschampsia cespitosa
''Deschampsia cespitosa'', commonly known as tufted hairgrass or tussock grass, is a perennial tufted plant in the grass family Poaceae. Distribution of this species is widespread including the eastern and western coasts of North America, parts o ...
''
See also
* List of butterflies of Menorca
References
*Higgins, L.G., and Riley, N.D. (1970) ''Field Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe''. Collins, pp380.
*Pons, G., (2000). ''Les papallones diurnes de les balears'', 87pp. Edicions Documenta Balear, Palma de Mallorca.
External links
Satyrinae of the Western Palearctic
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3348712
Pyronia
Butterflies of Europe
Butterflies described in 1894
Butterflies of Africa