- Lifespan
- 2–4 weeks as an adult butterfly; caterpillars overwinter and take several months to develop
- Size & Weight
- Wingspan 26–34 mm; one of the UK's smallest butterflies
- Habitat
- Open, sunny habitats with low-growing vegetation including grasslands, heathland, coastal cliffs, and gardens with sorrel plants.
- UK Distribution
- Found throughout England, Wales, and southern Scotland; generally resident with populations showing multiple generations per year, though absent from the far north and some upland areas.
- Diet
- Adults feed on nectar from a variety of flowers including bird's-foot trefoil, marjoram, and thistles. Caterpillars feed exclusively on sorrel and dock plants (Rumex species).
- Predators
- Small birds, spiders, robber flies, and parasitic wasps target both adults and caterpillars; lizards may also predate caterpillars.
- Mating Season
- March to September in the UK, with peak activity May to August
- Breeding
- Two to three broods per year depending on weather and location; females lay eggs singly on sorrel and dock plants; caterpillars take 4–6 weeks to develop; pupation occurs on or near the foodplant.
- Behaviour
- Males are highly territorial and perch on low vegetation to intercept females, often returning to the same spot repeatedly. They are swift, erratic fliers despite their small size. Adults bask with wings open to absorb heat on cooler days.