• National Status: In decline, fast becoming a coastal and southern heathland butterfly. Population trend 10 years +10%; since 1976 – 58%.
• West Midlands Status: Occurs largely in two areas: the Long Mynd/Stretton Hills/Stiperstones complex. Range contracting on the Malverns. Population trend 10 years – decreasing.

• Hotspots: The Bog and Stiperstones in Shropshire: The Bog, 

• Habitat: A butterfly of poor soil and arid conditions, bare ground and rocky outcrops with fine grasses such as Sheep’s Fescue (Festuca ovina) providing the essentials for breeding.

• Flight Period: One brood July-early September, peaking late July in an average season.

• Wingspan 55–60 mm, female larger 32 mm with wings closed.

 

Malvern Timed Counts 2018

Detailed Map on Google for 2018

Detailed Site Map on Google 2019

Detailed Site Map on Google 2020

Detailed Site Mapping on Google 2021

Detailed Site Mapping on Google 2022

Detailed Site Mapping on Google 2023

Detailed Site Mapping on Google 2024

Detailed mapping Google  2025

Timed Counts 2020 (Report)

Caterpillar Food Plant: The main foodplants are Bristle Bent (Agrostis curtisii), Early Hair-grass (Aira praecox), Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) and Sheep’s-fescue (Festuca ovina). Marram (Ammophila arenaria) and Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) are also used.

Life Cycle

• The Charts show the distribution over the last 5 years 
• The Population Trend from Transect Records shows a loss on the Malverns a Tansects is walk occasionally on the Bog at Stipperstones. Time counts were carried out on Shropshire in 2023 see above THE BOG
• Phenology from Casual Records

Members Photographs

Detailed mapping Google