Description

Wingspan 33 - 37mm. The upper-wings are a lovely soft, sandy brown. The underside of the fore-wing is a bright orange with an eye-spot. The underside of the hind-wing is a darker brown, with a paler distal band. They always land with their wings closed.

Habitat

Dry grasslands and heathland. The caterpillars eat grasses and the adults feed on nectar from a wide range of flowers.

Status and distribution

Common and widespread throughout most of Britain. Fairly common in Nottinghamshire, though currently in decline and no longer recorded at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

May to September in two broods.