Brown Butterflies of the Satyridae family in Europe
Butterflies of the Satyridae family form the largest group throughout much of Europe. Most Satyrid species are subtle shades of brown, hence they’re often referred to as ‘The Browns’. Most species have Prominent ocelli or ‘eye spots’ on both the upperside and underside of wings. Many species such as the Grayling and Small Heath are rarely seen settled with wings held open. The startling black and white markings of the Marbled Whites are an exception to the otherwise general brownish appearance of butterflies of the Satyridae family.
The photographs of ‘brown’ butterflies featured include some by Paul Browning in Spain.
Marbled White butterfly (Melanargia galathea)
Iberia Marbled butterfly (Melanargia lachesis)
Esper’s Marbled White butterfly (Melanargia larissa)
Western Marbled White butterfly (Melanargia occitanica)
Spanish Marbled White butterfly (Melanargia ines)
Woodland Grayling butterfly (Hipparchia fagi)
Rock Grayling butterfly (Hipparchia alcyone)
Grayling butterfly (Hipparchia semele)
Tree Grayling butterfly (Niohipparchia statilinus)
Striped Grayling butterfly (Psuedotergumia fidia)
Hermit butterfly (Chazara briseis)
Black Satyr butterfly (Satyrus acteae)
Dryad butterfly (Minois dryas)
Great Banded Grayling butterfly (Kanetisa circe)
False Grayling butterfly (Arethusana arethusa)
Meadow Brown butterfly (Maniola jurtina)
Dusky Meadow Brown butterfly (Hyponephele lycaon)
Yellow-spotted Ringlet butterfly (Erebia manto)
Mountain Ringlet butterfly (Erebia epiphron)
Silky Ringlet butterfly (Erebia gorge)
Gavarnie Ringlet butterfly (Erebia gorgone)
Spanish Brassy Ringlet butterfly (Erebia hispania)
Pyrenean Ringlet butterfly (Erebia rondoui)
Western Brassy Ringlet butterfly (Erebia neleus)
Water Ringlet butterfly (Erebia pronoe)
Autumn Ringlet butterfly (Erebia neoridas)
Zapater’s Ringlet butterfly (Erebia zapateri)
Ringlet butterfly (Aphantopus hyperantus)
Gatekeeper butterfly (Pyronia tithonus)
Southern Gatekeeper butterfly (Pyronia cecilia)
Spanish Gatekeeper butterfly (Pyronia bathseba)
Small Heath butterfly (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Dusky Heath butterfly (Coenonympha dorus)
Pearly Heath butterfly (Coenonympha arcania)
Chestnut Heath butterfly (Coenonympha glycerion)
Speckled Wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria)
Wall Brown butterfly (Lasiommata megera)
Large Wall Brown butterfly (Lasiommata maera)
Links to Other European Butterfly Galleries
- European Swallowtail Butterfly family (Papilionidae)
- European White and Yellow Butterflies (Pieridae)
- European Nettle-tree Butterfly (Libytheidae)
- European Duke of Burgundy Butterfly (Riodinidae)
- European Blue Butterflies (Lycaenidae)
- European Hairstreak Butterflies (Lycaenidae)
- European Copper Butterflies (Lycaenidae)
- European Skipper Butterflies (Hesperiidae)
- European Monarch Butterflies (Danaidae)
- European Vanessid Butterflies (Nymphalidae)
- European Fritillary Butterflies (Nymphalidae)
- European Brown Butterflies (Satyridae) – this page