Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Male. Taken at Holkham NNR, Norfolk on October 13th 2025. (© David Hastings) (Canon R7+RF100-500, f/10, 1/640th, ISO1250, 454mm)  Male underside. Taken at Pewsey Downs, Wilts, on August 9th 2014. (© David Hastings) (1/400th sec at f11)  Female. Taken at Overy MNarshes, Norfolk on October 13th 2025. (© David Hastings) (Canon R7+RF100-500, f/10, 1/800th, ISO1000, 500mm)  Female underside. Taken at Tophill Low, E. Yorks, on August 22nd 2010. (© David Hastings) (1/400th sec at f11) DescriptionFamily: Satyrinae Wing span: 44 - 52 mm The Wall gets its name from its characteristic behaviour of resting with its wings two-thirds open on walls or other bare surfaces. This butterfly is found in relatively small self-contained colonies. It was once found throughout England, Wales and Ireland, but over the last few decades it has suffered a severe decline. The reason(s) for this decline are not known. It is found primarily in coastal areas, especially unimproved grassland, wasteland, cliff edges and hedgerows. In some areas it does manage to penetrate inland. There are usually two broods each year. The first appears around the first week of May, peaking towards the end of the month. The second brood emerges in early August, and in some years there is a partial third brood. These timings are shifted by about two weeks in northern England and Scotland. The larva is the over-wintering stage. The primary larval foodplants are various Bents, Cock's-foot, False Brome, Tor-grass, Wavy Hair-grass and Yorkshire-fog. Adults are avid feeders, favouring Daisy, Fleabane, Hawkweeds, Knapweeds, Marjoram, Ragged Robin, Ragwort, Thistles, Water Mint and Yarrow. Males are territorial and will inhabit a particular area, such as a path, hedgerow or roadside verge, waiting for passing females. Any intruding males are seen off. Females are much more sedentary. Least Concern Earliest UK sighting: 3rd May ; Latest UK sighting: 16th October Sightings
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