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Maniola jurtina
The Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina, is a butterfly found in European meadows, where its larvae feed on grasses, such as Sheep's Fescue.
Similar are the Gatekeeper (which prefers to rest with its wings open) and Small Heath (which is smaller).
There is marked sexual dimorphism in this species. Males are less colorful, with smaller eyespots and much reduced orange areas on the upper forewings. They are also much more active and range far about, while females fly less and often may not away from the area where they grew up.
A variable number of smaller eyespots is usually found on the hindwing underside - up to six on each wing. The factors that govern polymorphism in this trait are not resolved, although several theories have been proposed. On the other hand, the evolutionary significance of the upperwing eyespots is more obvious: The more active males have a markedly more cryptic upperside pattern, whereas the females have more often opportunity to present their eyespots in a sudden display of colors and patterns that presumably make some predators hesitate so that the butterfly has better chances of escaping.
(Wikipedia)
Maniola jurtina
The Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina, is a butterfly found in European meadows, where its larvae feed on grasses, such as Sheep's Fescue.
Similar are the Gatekeeper (which prefers to rest with its wings open) and Small Heath (which is smaller).
There is marked sexual dimorphism in this species. Males are less colorful, with smaller eyespots and much reduced orange areas on the upper forewings. They are also much more active and range far about, while females fly less and often may not away from the area where they grew up.
A variable number of smaller eyespots is usually found on the hindwing underside - up to six on each wing. The factors that govern polymorphism in this trait are not resolved, although several theories have been proposed. On the other hand, the evolutionary significance of the upperwing eyespots is more obvious: The more active males have a markedly more cryptic upperside pattern, whereas the females have more often opportunity to present their eyespots in a sudden display of colors and patterns that presumably make some predators hesitate so that the butterfly has better chances of escaping.
(Wikipedia)