Butterflies in Andalusia

Butterflies are very unevenly distributed throughout the territory… While the lowlands still retain the interest of enthusiasts, the real jewels of endemic species and the most impressive densities of butterflies are found at altitudes above 1,500 meters. That is why we will focus on the eastern Betic mountain range, which includes Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Cazorla.

The Butterfly Tour in Andalusia allows you to enjoy one of the most rewarding trips in Europe.

The real difficulty is getting easy access to high altitudes in multiple locations and making the species list grow as large as possible. This is where our tour excels with a selection of excellent butterfly sites scattered throughout the province of Granada.

We will chase the rare and endemic species such as the subspecies Apollo of the Sierra Nevada, the Nevada Satyr, the Hermit, the Rambur and Zullich’s Blues. These sightings are always memorable.

DAY 1 : Transfer from Malaga

We will meet in Malaga, the city with the largest airport in the area, and move quickly eastward. During the transfer, we will make stops along the Mediterranean coast, to observe butterflies from sea level to the top of the mountain during the trip. Spanish Gatekeeper(Pyronia bathseba), Southern Gatekeeper(Pyronia cecilia), African Grass Blue(Zizeeria knysna) and, if we are lucky, Mediterranean Skipper(Gegenes nostrodamus). We will stay two nights in the heights of Sierra Nevada.

DAY 2 : Sierra Nevada

The hotel is located at 2,500 m.a.s.l. at the base of Pico Veleta (3,398) and near Mulhacén (3,482), the highest elevation in the Iberian Peninsula. Nowhere else in Andalusia is the vegetation so sparse and gives so much importance to the bedrock (medium-grained metamorphic schist). Butterflies are rare in these conditions. We will explore the variety of high altitude habitats and look for Nevada’s specialties: Agriades zullichi: Zullich´s Blue, Erebia hispania: Sierra Nevada Brassy Ringlet, Pseudochazara williamsi: Nevada Grayling and Parnassius apollo nevadensis, the Apollo. In Andalusia are present up to eight species of Burnets (Zygaena), including Z. nevadensis, an endemic species scattered from southern Europe.

DAY 3 : Sierra de Baza

This little known mountain range north of Granada is also home to the Betic endemisms that made the Sierra Nevada famous. The habitats of Baza are very contrasting and are dominated by coniferous forests on very dry limestone. The patches of high altitude grasslands and garrigues favor a rich flora and insects between 2,000 and 2,500 masl. Many members of Polyommatinae will be on the prowl, such as the Verity´s Montain Argus (Aricia montensis), Escher’s Blues (Polyommatus escheri) and Thersites (Polyommatus thersites), along with heaths, graylings and whites. Two nights near Huéscar.

DAY 4 : Badlands and traditional agriculture

The day is dedicated to exploring the depression between the Sierra Nevada and the Cazorla-Segura mountain ranges. The Hoya de Baza is full of quaternary sediments subject to a strong erosion process. The landscapes are majestic and extremely dry. We will explore badlands, continental marshes, roadsides next to small farms and mountain cellars. Owlflies (Ascalaphidae), Burnets (Zygaenidae) and floricolous insects(beetles, diptera, bees, butterflies) are numerous. Among the butterfliesr, Dusky Heath (Coenonympha dorus), the Rock Grayling (Hipparchia hermione), the Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis), etc. Our favorite sight in Andalusia, the mountain of La Sagra, inspires nature lovers forever.

DAY 5 | Arriving at the Altiplano of Granada

North of La Puebla de Don Fadrique, every centimeter of land has a high biodiversity interest. The Betic (Libelloides baetica) and Yellow owlflies (L. ictericus) are the most common of the six Ascalaphidae present in Andalusia. The terrain is rugged and home to an impressive Pinus nigra forest. The clearings and stream banks are very favorable for butterflies, grasshoppers, fritillaries and numerous satyrs (Hipparchia), meadow browns (Hyponephele) and marble whites (Galathea). Among the notable species: The Hermit (Chazara briseis) in pastures and Southern White Admiral (Limenitis reducta) near stream banks. Two nights near Santiago de la Espada.

DAY 6 : Sierra Segura

The limestone mountain ranges of Sierra Segura are quite remote, even in Andalusia, and belong to the largest Natural Park in Spain (Cazorla, Segura, Las Villas). The area supports high grazing activity with abundant open pastures and shrubs favorable for lepidoptera. We will enter the famous highlands of Campos de Hernán Perea around 1,600 masl and explore the surrounding reliefs up to 2,000 masl. It is possible to see all the mountain butterflies, especially the large fritillaries (Genus Argynnis and Fabriciana) which are common, with distinctive Iberian subspecies of High Brown (F. adippe) and Níobe (F. niobe); the Cardinal (A. pandora) and Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia) are very much attracted to thistles.

DAY 7 : Las Alpujarras

It’s time to slowly make our way back after this intense nature trip. What better option than to explore Sierra Nevada for the last time in a new privileged enclave. This time, the group will pass the Puerto de la Ragua, at 2,041 meters above sea level, on the border between the provinces of Granada and Almeria, and reach the famous Alpujarras on the southern slope. The well-deserved familiarity with the Andalusian butterflies should be evident and soon you will be able to spot the rare ropalóceros that are missing from our list.

DAY 7 : Return and farewell

This trip is over and we will return home as soon as possible. Transfer to Malaga in the morning.