Master of Camouflage!
The Grayling is the UK’s largest brown butterfly and a master of camouflage! The mottled brown under wings enable the Grayling to blend in with the background. They always rest with their wings closed, and can regulate their body temperature by orienting its body in relation to the sun. This tactic can also help in increasing camouflage by angling their wings to cast less of a shadow.
Graylings can be found flying along dry, sandy heathland tracks from July to mid-September. They can also be found at coastal sites.
Graylings have eye spots on their wings which enables them to surprise would-be predators.
Adult graylings will take nectar from a range of sources, including bell heather and brambles. Caterpillar Foodplants
include Sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina), Red Fescue (F. rubra), Bristle Bent (Agrostis curtisii), and Early Hair-grass (Aira praecox). Coarser grasses such as Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and Marram (Ammophila arenaria) are occasionally used.
The Grayling is widespread on the coast and southern heaths but is declining in many areas, particularly inland. Many colonies occur on coastal habitats such as; dunes, saltmarsh, undercliffs and clifftops. There are inland colonies on habitats including; dry heathland, chalk grassland, old quarries, earthworks, derelict industrial sites - such as old spoil heaps and very occasionally in open woodland on stony ground.
Master of Camouflage!
The Grayling is the UK’s largest brown butterfly and a master of camouflage! The mottled brown under wings enable the Grayling to blend in with the background. They always rest with their wings closed, and can regulate their body temperature by orienting its body in relation to the sun. This tactic can also help in increasing camouflage by angling their wings to cast less of a shadow.
Graylings can be found flying along dry, sandy heathland tracks from July to mid-September. They can also be found at coastal sites.
Graylings have eye spots on their wings which enables them to surprise would-be predators.
Adult graylings will take nectar from a range of sources, including bell heather and brambles. Caterpillar Foodplants
include Sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina), Red Fescue (F. rubra), Bristle Bent (Agrostis curtisii), and Early Hair-grass (Aira praecox). Coarser grasses such as Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and Marram (Ammophila arenaria) are occasionally used.
The Grayling is widespread on the coast and southern heaths but is declining in many areas, particularly inland. Many colonies occur on coastal habitats such as; dunes, saltmarsh, undercliffs and clifftops. There are inland colonies on habitats including; dry heathland, chalk grassland, old quarries, earthworks, derelict industrial sites - such as old spoil heaps and very occasionally in open woodland on stony ground.