Butterflies of Bulgaria - Coenonympha rhodopensis

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Coenonympha rhodopensis Elwes, 1900

Taxonomy: This taxon, described from Bulgaria, was previously considered a subspecies of the Holarctic Coenonympha tullia (Müller, 1764), but is nowadays treated as a separate species.

Range: Endemic to Europe: most widespread in the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula, with isolated populations in Italy and Romania.

Distribution in Bulgaria: The high mountains without Vitosha and Belasitsa, from 1200 to 2600 m a.s.l.

Habitat: Open, dry to boggy grassy places in coniferous woodland; subalpine and alpine grassland.

Bionomics: Univoltine, from June till September. Larval host-plants: apparently grasses (Poaceae).

Conservation status: Widespread and common species in Bulgarian high mountains, but its total range is small and Bulgarian populations represent a significant proportion thereof. IUCN category: Lower risk, near threatened. Its inclusion in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria is herewith recommended.

Previous: Coenonympha leander ● Next: Coenonympha pamphilus ● Back to species list ● Main menu

	Taxonomy: This taxon, described from Bulgaria, was previously considered a subspecies of the Holarctic Coenonympha tullia (Müller, 1764), but is nowadays treated as a separate species. Range: Endemic to Europe: most widespread in the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula, with isolated populations in Italy and Romania. Distribution in Bulgaria: The high mountains without Vitosha and Belasitsa, from 1200 to 2600 m a.s.l. Habitat: Open, dry to boggy grassy places in coniferous woodland; subalpine and alpine grassland. Bionomics: Univoltine, from June till September. Larval host-plants: apparently grasses (Poaceae). Conservation status: Widespread and common species in Bulgarian high mountains, but its total range is small and Bulgarian populations represent a significant proportion thereof. IUCN category: Lower risk, near threatened. Its inclusion in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria is herewith recommended.

Coenonympha rhodopensis Elwes, 1900