• National Status: Found over large parts of England, Scotland and Wales, range expanding. Population trend 10 years +72%; since 1976 +381%.
• West Midlands Status: Throughout the region, second most recorded butterfly in the West Midlands, range expanding. Population trend 10 years – increasing.

• Hotspots: Any rough grassy area, preferably damp.

• Habitat: Damp meadows, woodland rides, scrubby areas and hedgerows.

• Flight Period: Late June to mid-August.

• Wingspan Male 42–48 mm, female 46–52 mm.

Caterpillar Food Plant – The main foodplants are Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata), Common Couch (Elytrigia repens), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Meadow-grasses (various) (Poa spp.) and Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa).

Life Cycle: 

• The Charts show the distribution over the last 5 years  – Complete coverage 2020 to 2025
• The Population Trend from Transect Data – considered stable 2021 to 2025
• Phenology from Transect Records

Members Photographs