Grayling

Widespread on the coast of Britain and Ireland and on heathland in southern Britain. Rests with wings closed. Underwing mottled-brown. Appears larger in flight when pale yellow-orange bands can be seen.

Cryptic colouring provides the Grayling with excellent camouflage, making it difficult to see when at rest on bare ground, tree trunks, or stones. The wings are kept closed when not in flight and the forewings are usually tucked behind the hind wings, concealing the eyespots and making the butterfly appear smaller. In flight this is a distinctive, large butterfly with a looping and gliding flight, during which the paler bands on the upper wings are visible.

The Grayling is widespread on the coast and southern heaths but is declining in many areas, particularly inland.

Size and Family

Family: Browns
Size: Medium/Large
Wing Span Range (male to female): 55-60mm

Conservation Status

Section 41 species of principal importance under the NERC Act in England
Listed on Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016
Scottish Biodiversity List
Northern Ireland Priority Species
GB Red List (2022): Endangered
Butterfly Conservation priority: High
European status: Not threatened

Caterpillar Foodplants

The main species used 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.

Lifecycle

Habitat

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.

It is important that the soils are dry and well-drained, with sparse vegetation and plenty of bare ground in open positions.