Lasiommata maera (Linnaeus, 1758)

Lasiommata maera (Linnaeus, 1758) ( Nymphalidae ) **

L6; 04/III/2023, in a rocky slope, 1 female ex. v., JLR.; L6; 17/IV/2024, nect. on P. maritima and L. dentata , 7 ex. v., JLR; L6; 25/IV/2024, nect. on P. maritima and A. monspeliensis , 5 ex. v., JLR; L6; 30/IV/2024, in a rocky slope and nect. on P. maritima , 7 ex. v., JLR.

Comment: In Ceuta, this species is confined to the dolomitic rock outcrop of Mogote de Benż (1.8 ha), where it maintains a small population. This first record for Ceuta is also the northernmost for the species in Morocco, situated approximately 45 km north of the nearest documented occurrence at Djebel Ben Karrich (Tetouan province, north-western Rif) ( Tarrier, 2025e). In Morocco, L. maera has been recorded in only 9 10× 10 km UTM squares (Rif, Middle and High Atlas ) ( Tarrier & Delacre, 2008; Tarrier, 2025e), typically occurring at elevations of 700–2800 m a.s.l. within meso-, supra- Mediterranean, and mountainous Mediterranean bioclimatic levels. However, the Ceuta population is found at the thermo-Mediterranean level, at very low altitude (50–105 m a.s.l.) and in close proximity to the coastline. Tarrier (2025e) reports a rapid decline of the species in Morocco, potentially due to climate change. In Ceuta, adults were recorded from March until late April, predominantly in flight or perched on scree, but also nectaring on P. maritima , L. dentata , and A. monspeliensis .