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Meadow Brown

Maniola jurtina

1 photo

1 photographer

·Common · 1 pts

The UK's most abundant butterfly in summer grassland.

1 community photo of Meadow Brown on Things With Wings. Top-rated shots often use around 1/640ss shutter, 300mm.

Species Profile

Green List (common and widespread)

Lifespan: 2–3 weeks as an adult; 1 year from egg to adult
Size & Weight: wingspan 42–50 mm
Habitat: Unimproved grasslands, meadows, woodland edges, and rough ground with tall grass.
UK Distribution: Found throughout mainland Britain and Wales, absent from Ireland and northern Scotland; resident, non-migratory with single annual generation.
Diet: Adults feed on nectar and honeydew; caterpillars feed on various grass species, particularly red fescue and tor-grass.
Predators: Birds, spiders, and small mammals; caterpillars preyed upon by parasitoid wasps and flies.
Mating Season: July to September
Breeding: Single brood per year; females lay eggs singly on grass stems from July onwards; eggs overwinter and hatch in spring; caterpillar stage lasts several months.
Behaviour: Males are territorial and perch low on vegetation scanning for females; they exhibit a distinctive bouncing flight. Females are more cryptic and spend time searching for suitable grasses on which to lay eggs. They rarely visit flowers, preferring to feed on honeydew.

Did You Know?

•The Meadow Brown is one of the most abundant butterfly species in the UK, particularly in southern and central regions.
•Males have distinctive eyespots on their wings with white pupils, used in species and sex recognition.
•The caterpillars feed nocturnally and hide in grass tussocks during the day.
•Population numbers fluctuate significantly year-to-year based on summer weather conditions.
•They are an important food source for birds and reptiles during their adult flight period.

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Shutter

1/640ss

ISO Range

400

Aperture

f/f/5.6

Focal Length

300mm

🦋 Meadow Brown

Butterfly