![Brintesia circe - photo © Sofia Apergi](https://butterfliesofcrete.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BRITENSIA-CIRCE-APERGI1-1.jpg)
Brintesia circe, Fthiotida - photo © Sofia Apergi
Brintesia circe
BUTTERFLY INFO
Brintesia circe is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae on the island of Crete, Greece.
Scientific name
Brintesia circe (Fabricius, 1775)
Common name
Great Banded Grayling
Classification
Family: Nymphalidae > Subfamily: Satyrinae > Tribus: Satyrini > Genus: Brintesia
Wingspan
Male to female: 65-80 mm
Appearance
The butterflies have a broad white band at the edge of the basal area of all wings and usually a second white streak on the lower wings. There is also a black eyespot on the underside of the upper wing and a dentate black line in the submarginal area of the underside of the hindwing.
Behavior
It has a strong flight and very rarely is observed to open the wings when resting.
Habitat
Brintesia circe in Crete lives in mountain fields, in medium altitudes with light shrubland, grassland complexes with trees, forest roads, dry streambeds and plateaus, riverbanks, seaside, etc.
Food plant
The larva lives on Poaceae and Saxifragacae plants.
Flight period
The butterfly flies in one generation per year.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Remarks
Both males and females are large butterflies and have a similar appearance. The butterfly has a unique appearance in Crete and can’t be confused with other butterflies of the island. It is rare sightseeing on the island.
Status*
Least Concern (LC)
Brintesia circe Distribution Map
![*based on http://www.pamperis.gr/THE_BUTTERFLIES_OF_GREECE/MAPS.html](https://butterfliesofcrete.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Brintensia-Circe.jpg)
Brintesia circe location map based on greek butterflies distributions maps by L.N. Pamperis (revised 2021)