THis butterfly is widespread in northern and NW Bulgaria and in Strandzha in SE Bulgaria, but appears to be local elsewhere.
The two pale blue centred eye-spots on the upper forewing are distinctive and characteristic of this species. Coupled with its large size, in Bulgharia it can only be confused with the more local Great Sooty Satyr (Satyrus ferula) which has generally smaller white-centred eye-spots on the upper forewings. These eye-spots are larger in the females in both species.
Rough uncut scrubby grassland and the margins and glades of woodland.
Recorded in 34 (1.8%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.
Last recorded in August 2017
Recorded date range (Adult): 24 June to 12 August