• National Status: Common as far north as Central Scotland, range expanding. Population trend 10 years +21%; since 1976 +17%.
• West Midlands Status: Common throughout the region, range stable. Population trend 10 years – strong increase.

• Hotspots: Gardens in late summer 

• Habitat: Wide range of habitats including woodland rides, meadows, hedgerows and particularly in gardens nectaring on buddleias (Buddleja spp).

• Flight Period: Overwintering adults may be recorded as early as January on warmer, sunny days but most emerge from hibernation in late March and early April. These mate and most have disappeared by mid-May. The new generation appears in mid-July but are on the wing for only a short time as they hibernate early compared to other hibernating species.

• Wingspan Male 63–68 mm, female 67–75 mm.

Caterpillar Food Plant – The main foodplant is Common Nettle (Urtica dioica). Hop (Humulus lupulus) and Small Nettle (Urtica urens) are also used

Life Cycle:

• The Charts show the distribution over the last 5 years Complete coverage 2020 to 2025
• The Population Trend from Transect Records frpm 2021to 2025
• Phenology from Transect Records.

Members Photographs