Grayling Hipparchia semele
The Grayling (Hipparchia semele) is a master of disguise, its cryptic underwing pattern making it almost invisible against bare sand or rock. A butterfly of open, sunny habitats with sparse vegetation and warm, exposed ground, it has suffered dramatic declines across the UK. Suffolk’s Sandlings heathlands are a genuine stronghold for this species, with key populations at sites such as Dunwich Heath and Westleton Heath. Coastal cliffs and dunes also support the Grayling in the county. Heathland management – including grazing and scrub control – is vital for maintaining the bare, sun-warmed ground it depends upon. Image: © Paul Kitchener, Flickr.
Find out more: iNaturalist, Butterfly Conservation, UK Butterflies
Suffolk’s Priority Butterfly Species
Key
Listed as a conservation priority in Suffolk’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
Closely associated with Suffolk’s landscape and natural identity.
Identified as a key priority for recovery under Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Has a Species of the Month article attached.
