• National Status: A butterfly of south and south-east England, range expanding.Population trend 10 years -66%; since 1976 -88%.
• West Midlands Status: Found in all four counties with its stronghold in Worcestershire, range expanding. Population trend 10 years – major increase.

• Hotspots: Any area of open dry grassland.

• Habitat: Warm, grassy areas such as woodland rides, meadows and roadside verges.

• Flight Period:  Late June to August.

• Wingspan 26–30 mm.

Caterpillar Food Plant – The main foodplant is Yorkshire-fog (Holcus lanatus). Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata), Creeping Soft-grass (Holcus mollis), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis) and Timothy (Phleum pratense) are also used

Life Cycle:

• The Charts show the distribution over the last 5 years widespread but not complete 2020 to 2025
• The Population Trend from Transect Records shows significant decrease – recording problem with splitting with Essex Skipper and Records of Small/Essex  2021 to 2025
• Phenology from Transect Records