Nymphalidae: Satyrinae

07427 Dryad Minois dryas, (Scopoli, 1763)

BF -- (ABH59.000)

NW Bulgaria, 1st July 2015.
NW Bulgaria, 1st July 2015.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
NW Bulgaria, 1st July 2015.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019
near Vratsa, NW Bulgaria, 6th July 2014, male.
near Vratsa, NW Bulgaria, 6th July 2014, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Vratsa, NW Bulgaria, 6th July 2014, male.
near Vratsa, NW Bulgaria, 6th July 2014, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Western Stara Planina, 15th July 2012.
Western Stara Planina, 15th July 2012.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Zhivko, (near Gabrovo), 11th July 2014. Male.
Zhivko, (near Gabrovo), 11th July 2014. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
North Bulgaria, 8th Aug. 2017. Female
North Bulgaria, 8th Aug. 2017. Female
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
North Bulgaria, 9th Aug 2017. Prey of a wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi).
North Bulgaria, 9th Aug 2017. Prey of a wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi).
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Brashylan, Strandzha, SE Bulgaria, 25th June 2012.
Brashylan, Strandzha, SE Bulgaria, 25th June 2012.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

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.


Flying: Flies from late June and into August.

Habitat

Rough uncut scrubby grassland and the margins and glades of woodland.

Regional Information

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

Similar Species
Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 10th July 2011. Male.
Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 10th July 2011. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Great Sooty Satyr Satyrus ferula