Taken at Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon., on June 2nd 2020. (© David Hastings)
(1/500th sec at f14)

Description

Family: Satyrinae

Wing span: 28-34 mm

The Small Heath is one of those butterflies which never rests with its wings open. Instead, it angles its whole body and wings to get maximum benefit from the sun. It never flies more than two or three feet above the ground. Females are larger and paler than males.

It is found throughout the British Isles. There is a distinct subspecies (f. rhoumensis) on the island of Rum.

It occurs on grassland where there are fine grasses, especially in dry well-drained situations where the sward is short and sparse. The largest colonies occur on downland, heathland, and coastal dunes. Smaller populations occur in many other locations including roadside verges, waste ground, woodland rides and glades, moorland, and parkland.

There are two broods per year in most of England and Wales, with peak flight periods in May/June and August. In northern England and Scotland there is only one brood, with adults on the wing in July. The larva is the over-wintering stage.

The main larval foodplants are Bents, Fescues and Meadow-grasses.

Adults feed primarily on Bramble, Buttercups, Devil's-bit Scabious, Fleabane, Greater Stitchwort, Kidney Vetch, Ragwort, Tormentil and Yarrow.

Males set up territories where they can be found perching. They also spend time patrolling in search of a mate. When a male encounters another, the pair flies a few metres up into the air before separating. Virgin females will also fly over vegetation in search of a mate. Mated females avoid male territories.

Near-threatened

Earliest UK sighting: 25th April ; Latest UK sighting: 22nd September

Sightings