• National Status: One of the most common and widespread butterflies in the UK, range stable. Population trend 10 years -15%; since 1976 +1%.
• West Midlands Status: Familiar sight throughout the whole area, range stable.Population trend 10 years – stable

• Hotspots: Any warm grassy site.

• Habitat: Favours warm, open meadows, sunny woodland rides, road verges, parks and larger gardens with plenty of flowers and fine or medium grasses.

• Flight Period: June to September with peak numbers in July. Males emerge before females.

• Wingspan 40–60 mm with females larger than males.

Caterpillar Food Plant – The main foodplants are Bents (various) (Agrostis spp.), Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata), Downy Oat-grass (Helictotrichon pubescens), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Fescues (various) (Festuca spp.) and Meadow-grasses (various) (Poa spp.).

Life Cycle:

• The Charts show the distribution over the last 5 years – complete coverage 2020 to 2025
• The Population Trend from Transect Records- considered stable
• Phenology from Casual Records

Members Photographs