Lasiommata maera, Ravni Dabar, Velebit, Croatia – Peter Bruce-Jones
Introduction
There are 16 Lasiommata species distributed variously across Europe and temperate Asia. Some workers classify Lasiommata as a subgenus of Pararge, which comprises of a further 3 species.
Lasiommata maera is found in Morocco, Algeria and over most of Europe excluding Britain, Holland and the Mediterranean islands. Beyond Europe its range extends to western Siberia and Tien Shan.
Habitats
This species inhabits scree slopes, rocky outcrops, dry barren grasslands, cliffs and mountain ridges at elevations between sea level and about 3700m according to location.
Lasiommata maera, Ravni Dabar, Velebit, Croatia – Peter Bruce-Jones
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include Glyceria, Deschampsia, Calamagrostis, Nardus, Hordeum, Agrostis, Luzula, Holcus, Festuca and other grasses ( Poaceae ).
Adult behaviour
Both sexes commonly nectar at Asteraceae and other flowers, moving quickly from plant to plant, and stopping periodically to bask on paths or boulders.