| Family | Nymphalidae |
|---|---|
| Subfamily | Satyrinae |
| Genus | Oeneis |
| Species | glacialis |
| Authority | (Moll, 1785) |
| English Name | Alpine Grayling |
| European Red List 2010 | Least Concern (LC) |
|---|---|
| EU 27 Red List 2010 | Least Concern (LC) |
| European Red List 2025 | Least Concern (LC) |
| EU 27 Red List 2025 | Least Concern (LC) |
| Habitats Directive | |
| Bern Convention | |
| CITES |
At altitudes of about 1500 m, the Alpine Grayling occurs on dry, scrubby vegetation. Above the tree-line, they can be seen in dry, stony alpine grasslands, and on dry, open sunny slopes. Most habitats have a stream in the vicinity. Perched on a stone, the males defend their territory, chasing away other butterflies, as well as other insects. The female lays her eggs one at a time on dry grass stalks close to the ground. The caterpillar hibernates in the first larval instar, and having fed during the growing season, hibernates again in the last instar. Eventually, some time between April and June, it pupates. Its main foodplant is Sheep’s-fescue (Festuca ovina) but other fescues are also used. This butterfly is single-brooded.
Austria / France / France: Mainland / Germany / Italy / Italy: Mainland / Liechtenstein / Switzerland /