Satyr ID help

[Catteraxe]

A couple of images taken in the French Alps, Rimplas area, back in 2017. I think they're both Great Sooty Satyr but the eye spots on the underwing in the one image confuses me. Help needed!

Thanks
Kevin

[David M]

Hi Kev, I'm sure both are ferula, but you're right, that first one is most unusual, possibly an ab., with the fairly conspicuous uph orange band as well as the ocelli.

[Catteraxe]

Thanks David

[Roger Gibbons]

I think they are in range for females. It is perhaps the species with the greatest variation in the underside, the females more so than the males, so probably no reason why the uppersides should not be variable as well. Here is a female upperside.

Ocelli are also hugely variable - this one has a smallish blind ocellus on the hindwing.

Nice shots, especially as they were probably on the move nectaring, and shows this species at it best.

Roger

[David M]

Great image, Roger. I presume that was early in the morning when they WILL bask wings open for a while?

Can't say I've studied the ups too often given that they're mostly posing with wings closed once things have warmed up.

[Roger Gibbons]

They may bask like that early in the morning, but I wouldn't be there to see them

It was taken some time ago (2009) and more likely to have been in a cloudy or overcast spell when they sit on rocks for the warmth. A male nearby did the same, as below. Just a lucky moment, as I've never seen them posing as obligingly since.

Roger

[Medard]

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com

Memories from long ago.
A few pictures of Great Sooty Satyr (Satyrus ferula) taken near Sedron above the Jabron Valley, Near Sisteron, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence,France.
Roger will know this location as I gave him directions.
Hope I have the IDs correct.

[David M]

Isn't that second one a Dryad, Jim?

[Medard]

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com
Looks as if it got in the wrong folder David, thanks for your correction.
On the subject of the
Minois dryas (Grand nègre des bois)
Here's one taken at a site near Hostens, Girond.
[attachment=3]JUL_7644 Great Sooty Satyr (Satyrus ferula).
Most likely the site has been destroyed by the disastrous fires at the Hostens location, which makes me want to cry.
Another inhabitant that lives at the same site.
False Ringlet (Coenonympha oedippus).

[petesmith]

Hi Jim. Do you know if the Hostens site has definitely been affected? It would be tragic if it has been lost. I found an image showing the extent of the fires on 13th July (see below), which looks like they were a little to the east of the main site, but of course they may well have spread there. I was planning on visiting for oedippus this summer, but Easyjet cancelled my return flight so I had to abort the trip at the last minute...

[David M]

...Most likely the site has been destroyed by the disastrous fires at the Hostens location, which makes me want to cry...

I sincerely hope not, Jim, or I'll be crying with you!

[Catteraxe]

Thanks David and also Roger

[Medard]

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com
Hi Pete There was a lot of video of pompiers operating at Hostens, as well as local French, many came from Poland
I may be wrong, I do hope so, I will contact my friends from St Medard perhaps they can add some detail.