Butterflies of Rostov Oblast

Steppe fauna of the Don region

Rostov Oblast is the heart of the Don steppes. Diverse steppe biotopes, chalk slopes, and floodplains of large rivers support rich butterfly fauna — more than 100 day-flying Lepidoptera. Virgin steppe patches are especially valuable, where rare species persist that have vanished from ploughed areas.

Characteristic steppe species

Blues

Family Lycaenidae is especially well represented in Rostov steppes. On flowering thyme, sainfoin, and clover fly numerous blues: common blue, green-underside blue, Daphnis blue, and on chalk outcrops rare species of the genus Phengaris.

Nymphalids

Characteristic nymphalids include small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral, painted lady (mass autumn migrations), and fritillaries. The protected southern festoon (Zerynthia polyxena) flies in April–May.

Swallowtails

Old World swallowtail (Papilio machaon) is a common steppe species; caterpillars feed on dill, carrot, and wild umbellifers. Scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) occurs on chalk slopes.

Steppe satyrs

On steppe burnt in summer fly various satyrs and ringlets well adapted to dry hot climate.

Protected species

• Southern festoon (Zerynthia polyxena) — rare protected swallowtail, April–May
• Alcon blue (Phengaris arion) — dry meadows with thyme
• Aurinia’s fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) — wet meadows
• Dryad (Minois dryas) — tall-grass meadows in ravines

Best sites

Rostov State Nature Reserve — the only reserve in European Russia with pristine steppe.

Chalk slopes of the Seversky Donets — rich mixed-grass biotopes with southern festoon and blues.

Donets Ridge — elevated chalk areas with unique flora and fauna.

Seasonal calendar

To learn steppe species see the key by place of encounter and nymphalids.