- Lifespan
- 2–3 weeks as an adult butterfly
- Size & Weight
- Wingspan 32–38 mm
- Habitat
- Grassland margins, woodland edges, hedgerows, and rough ground with tall grasses, particularly in southern and central Britain.
- UK Distribution
- Found throughout southern England, Wales, and the Midlands, with populations extending north to Lancashire and Yorkshire. Resident species with single annual generation; appears July to September.
- Diet
- Caterpillars feed on various grass species including purple moor-grass and tor-grass; adults feed on nectar from bramble, marjoram, and other wildflowers.
- Predators
- Spiders, robber flies, and insectivorous birds such as flycatchers and warblers.
- Mating Season
- July to September
- Breeding
- Single brood per year. Females lay eggs singly on grass stems in late summer. Caterpillars overwinter and pupate in spring. Eggs hatch after 2–3 weeks.
- Behaviour
- Males are highly territorial and perch on tall plants to watch for females, performing characteristic 'stuttering' flight patterns. They are reluctant fliers and rarely travel far from breeding sites. Adults are active in warm, sunny weather and rest with wings closed at night.