- Lifespan
- Approximately 2–3 weeks as an adult butterfly in the wild
- Size & Weight
- Wingspan 27–32 mm
- Habitat
- Woodland edges, scrubland, and sheltered areas where blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is abundant, typically in warm, sheltered locations.
- UK Distribution
- Resident and localised to southern England, primarily in the Midlands and south-central regions; a scarce and declining butterfly with a fragmented range.
- Diet
- Adults feed on honeydew from aphids and small quantities of nectar; caterpillars are monophagous, feeding exclusively on blackthorn leaves.
- Predators
- Spiders, robber flies, and insectivorous birds such as redstarts and warblers.
- Mating Season
- July to August
- Breeding
- Females lay eggs singly on blackthorn twigs in late summer; eggs overwinter and hatch in spring; single brood per year.
- Behaviour
- Males are notably pugnacious and territorial, perching on low vegetation to intercept females and rival males; they have a characteristic rapid, jerky flight. Adults spend much time resting on blackthorn stems with wings closed.