- Lifespan
- 2–3 weeks as an adult butterfly
- Size & Weight
- Wingspan 32–38 mm
- Habitat
- Sunny grassland margins, woodland edges, and rough ground with tall grass, particularly in southern and central Britain.
- UK Distribution
- Found throughout southern England and Wales, becoming scarcer northwards; resident with a single annual generation, present June to August.
- Diet
- Adults feed on nectar from flowers such as marjoram, bird's-foot trefoil, and bramble.
- Predators
- Small birds, spiders, and parasitic wasps; vulnerable to ground predators during the larval stage.
- Mating Season
- June to August
- Breeding
- Females lay eggs singly on host plants (mainly cocksfoot grass and other coarse grasses). Single generation per year; larvae overwinter and pupate in spring.
- Behaviour
- Males are highly territorial and perch on low vegetation in sunny spots, darting out to intercept passing females or rival males. The species is relatively weak-flying compared to other skippers. Adults spend much of their time resting on grass stems with wings folded.