Spialia therapne (Rambur, 1832)

Host plants:
The eggs are deposited on Sanguisorba minor (Small burnet, Rosaceae).

Habitat:
Spialia therapne inhabits generally open, partly rocky or stony habitats such as slopes, meadows, scrub and other nutrient-poor grasslands.

Life cycle:
The adults fly in several generations usually from April to September. I found the butterfly in the second half of May, very locally, but then abundant in the central mountains of Sardinia in altitudes around 1200m above sea level. Eggs are laid similar to Spialia sertorius in the flower heads or on the upper leaf surface. The males usually sit on stones or raised on stalks, etc., and pursue other butterflies. Caterpillars live in a housing composed of woven leaves on the ground.

Endangerment factors:
Spialia therapne may be endangered still only little due to the generally relatively good state of preservation of the Corsican and especially Sardinian nature.

Remarks:
Spialia therapne is endemic to Sardinia and Corsica, and closely related to Spialia sertorius. Depending on the engaged author this species is sometimes considered only as a subspecies of S. sertorius. The adults are smaller and on the upperside brighter dusted. The caterpillars are more brightly colored and the pupae more frosted. Overall, however, the classification as a subspecies is probably sufficient. But this is a case where both considerations are comprehensive.