![Grayling [butterfly]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Hipparchia_semele.jpg)
Grayling [butterfly]
Hipparchia semele
The grayling or rock grayling is a species in the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Although found all over Europe, the grayling mostly inhabits coastal areas, with inland populations declining significantly in recent years.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grayling_(butterfly)
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Nymphalidae
Genus
Hipparchia
Grayling [butterfly] belongs to the family Nymphalidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The grayling or rock grayling is a species in the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Although found all over Europe, the grayling mostly inhabits coastal areas, with inland populations declining significantly in recent years. The grayling lives in dry and warm habitats with easy access to the sun, which helps them with body temperature regulation.
The Grayling butterfly faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized coastal and heathland environments. Climate change and coastal development have reduced the availability of suitable sandy, sparsely vegetated areas where this species breeds and feeds.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Hipparchia semele lives at elevations between sea level and about . The grayling is not found in west France, large parts of Greece, Albania, North Macedonia, and south of Bulgaria and the Mediterranean islands.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Grayling butterfly faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized coastal and heathland environments. Climate change and coastal development have reduced the availability of suitable sandy, sparsely vegetated areas where this species breeds and feeds.
Climate change and sea level rise
Coastal development and urbanization
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Recreational pressure and trampling
Vegetation succession and scrubland encroachment
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Grayling [butterfly] (Hipparchia semele). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/grayling-butterfly