- Lifespan
- 2–3 weeks as an adult butterfly
- Size & Weight
- Wingspan 32–38 mm
- Habitat
- Sunny, sheltered grassland areas with sparse vegetation, including downland, woodland margins, and rocky outcrops.
- UK Distribution
- Found across southern and central England, Wales, and southern Scotland; generally resident with some local migration, though populations fluctuate considerably year to year.
- Diet
- Adults feed on nectar from flowers such as bird's-foot trefoil, marjoram, and thistles; caterpillars feed on various grass species including fescues and bluegrass.
- Predators
- Small birds, spiders, and parasitic wasps; vulnerable to predation when basking on rocks.
- Mating Season
- May to September, typically with two or three generations per year
- Breeding
- Females lay single eggs on grass plants; caterpillars are solitary feeders; pupation occurs in leaf litter; two to three broods annually in favourable conditions.
- Behaviour
- Wall Browns are heliophilic and spend much time basking on rocks and bare ground with wings open, displaying distinctive eyespots. Males are highly territorial and chase passing insects vigorously. They fly close to the ground in a characteristic bouncing flight pattern.