Pyronia cecilia
Encyclopedia
The Southern Gatekeeper, Pyronia cecilia, is a butterfly
of southern Europe
and north Africa
. It is a member of the subfamily Satyrinae
in the family Nymphalidae
.
). The Gatekeeper has spots on the underside of the hind wind which the Southern Gatekeeper lacks. The Spanish Gatekeeper has quite a different underwing pattern with a prominent while line.
, exhibit sexual dimorphism
. The male is smaller than the female, the front wing of the male is 15/16mm whereas a female front wing is 20mm, and has patch of scent-producing scales known as the androconia, which can be seen as a dark patch on the upper side of the forewing.
It is usually found in rough, open areas in lowland regions although in some areas it occurs up to 2000m.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
of southern Europe
Southern Europe
The term Southern Europe, at its most general definition, is used to mean "all countries in the south of Europe". However, the concept, at different times, has had different meanings, providing additional political, linguistic and cultural context to the definition in addition to the typical...
and north Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
. It is a member of the subfamily Satyrinae
Satyrinae
Satyrinae, the satyrines or satyrids, commonly known as the Browns, is a subfamily of the Nymphalidae . They were formerly considered a distinct family, Satyridae. This group contains nearly half of the known diversity of brush-footed butterflies...
in the family Nymphalidae
Nymphalidae
The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed throughout most of the world. These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called...
.
Description
It is similar in appearance to the Gatekeeper (P. tithonus), which is found further north, and the Spanish Gatekeeper (P. bathshebaPyronia bathseba
The Spanish Gatekeeper is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It is found on the Iberian Peninsula and in France, Morocco and Algeria.The wingspan is 18–19 mm. The butterfly is on wing from May to July depending on the location....
). The Gatekeeper has spots on the underside of the hind wind which the Southern Gatekeeper lacks. The Spanish Gatekeeper has quite a different underwing pattern with a prominent while line.
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Sexual dimorphism
The Southern Gatekeeper, like many SatyrinaeSatyrinae
Satyrinae, the satyrines or satyrids, commonly known as the Browns, is a subfamily of the Nymphalidae . They were formerly considered a distinct family, Satyridae. This group contains nearly half of the known diversity of brush-footed butterflies...
, exhibit sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
. The male is smaller than the female, the front wing of the male is 15/16mm whereas a female front wing is 20mm, and has patch of scent-producing scales known as the androconia, which can be seen as a dark patch on the upper side of the forewing.
Distribution and habitat
The Southern Gatekeeper likes hot localities and is found in northern Africa and southern Europe; in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Portugal, Spain including the Mallorca and Menorca, South-eastern France, Corsica, Sardinia, Elba, Italy, Sicily, Albanis, Greece and Turkey.It is usually found in rough, open areas in lowland regions although in some areas it occurs up to 2000m.