Chazara persephone transiens

A larger of the grayling butterflies with a wingspan of 40-70 mm, distinct from other graylings by the contrasting dark brown and white wing pattern and black spots, like a polecat’s face. Also called the “desert rock brown,” the great steppe inhabits dry places, such as steppes, stony slopes, and semi-desert. Host plants include grasses (Graminae) such as fescues (Festuca spp.), feather-grasses (Stipa spp.), and meadow-grasses (Poa spp.). This species flies June through August.

 

Attribution: Zeynel Cebeci (Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Attribution: Zeynel Cebeci (Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Attribution: Jarek Bury