Muschampia orientalis Reverdin, 1913

Host plants:
The eggs are laid on different Lamiaceae (Stachys, Marrubium and others). In breeding, the caterpillar accepted easily Betonica officinalis.

Habitat:
Muschampia orientalis inhabits pastures, steppe slopes and other sites that are rich in grasslands and ruderalized places. The larval food plants are often indicators for grazing or ruderalization.

Life cycle:
Muschampia orientalis forms 2 or 3 generations per year. I met adults and eggs regularly in Northern Greece, both in May 2008 and in July 2007, but in rather low density. Hibernation should therefore take place in a late instar, i.e. most probably in penultimate or last one.

Endangerment factors:
Muschampia orientalis is still quite common in Greece and not at immediate risk, although their habitats decline gradually.

Remarks:
The distribution is Southeastern European (southern Balkans, Greece, very rare in Bulgaria and Hungary) and Western Asian (Turkey, Iran, etc.).