Cryptic colouring provides the Grayling with excellent camouflage, making it difficult to see when at rest on bare ground, tree trunks, or stones.  The wings are kept closed when not in flight and the fore wings are usually tucked behind the hind wings, concealing the eyespots and making the butterfly appear smaller.  In flight this is a distinctive, large butterfly with a looping and gliding flight, during which the paler bands on the upperwings are visible.  The Grayling is widespread on the coast and southern heaths, but is declining in many areas.