[1] Although found all over Europe, the grayling mostly inhabits coastal areas, with inland populations declining significantly in recent years.

[1][2] The grayling lives in dry and warm habitats with easy access to the sun, which helps them with body temperature regulation.

The grayling exposes the eyespots on its wings when it believes to have been detected by a predator, but generally keeps them hidden to avoid being seen.

[2] Grayling populations have recently begun to decline, and while it is not globally endangered, the species is now considered a priority for conservation efforts in the United Kingdom.

In parts of northern and western Europe, including Scandinavia, Britain, Ireland, and the Baltic states, it can be seen mostly in the coastal areas.

[2] The grayling is not found in west France, large parts of Greece, Albania, North Macedonia, and south of Bulgaria and the Mediterranean islands.

Both sexes show, on a pale ochre ground, before the anal angle a dark ocellus which occasionally is pupilled with white.

The underside of the hindwing is marbled with dark, a pale powdering in the form of a band terminating the basal portion distally.

[6] Grayling populations are typically found in dry habitats with warm climates to aid in their thermoregulatory behavior.

[2] Colonies typically develop around areas with little vegetation and bare, open ground, with spots of shelter and sun to help them regulate their body temperature.

Because the adult butterflies lay their eggs on the ground, the larvae can easily find the host plants to feed on.

[1] When the eggs hatch, the caterpillar grows slowly, feeding at night and typically hibernating during cold temperatures in a deep patch of grass.

[1] The first-instar and second-instar larvae feed in mid-to-late summer and then hibernate, while still small, in the third instar, at the base of a tussock.

Feeding then resumes in the spring and the last instar larvae are nocturnal, hiding in the base of grass tussocks during the day.

By June, the larvae should be fully grown, and at this point the caterpillar spends most of its time basking in the sun on the bare ground or rocks.

[3] Hipparchia semele engages in cryptic coloring, or camouflage that makes it difficult to see them when they are resting on the bare ground, tree trunks, rocks, etc.

Therefore, at rest, the grayling adopts its cryptic coloring position, pulling its forewings down behind its hindwings in order to conceal the eyespots.

[4] When it comes time to mate, male and female H. semele meet above a solitary tree in a wide and open area.

Thermoregulation helps these butterflies prepare for maximum flight efficiency in order to gain ownership of the most optimal territory.

Hipparchia semele only copulate once, so determining the best possible male, based on the pheromones and courting procedure, is very important for reproductive success.

When the temperature gets too cold, the grayling leans to expose its side towards the sunlight, therefore allowing its wings to gain heat from the sun.

When the temperature gets too warm, the grayling stands straight, on its tiptoes, exposing its head towards the sun and keeping the majority of its body away.