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Small heath

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The small heath is the smallest of our brown butterflies and has a fluttering flight. It favours heathlands, as its name suggests, as well as other sunny habitats.

Scientific name

Coenonympha pamphilus

When to see

April to September

Top facts

Category

Stats

Wingspan: 3.3-3.7cm
Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

About

The small heath is a small, inconspicuous butterfly of heathland, moorland, grassland and coastal habitats. Adults are on the wing from April to September in some places, and appear in two or three broods. They only fly in sunny conditions, always settling close to the ground. Caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses such as fescues and meadow-grasses.

What to look for

The small heath is a small, light orange butterfly, with one eyespot on each forewing. The underside of its hindwings is browny-grey in colour and it always rests with its wings closed.

Where to find

Widespread, but not common.

Did you know?

The closely related large heath is a butterfly of boggy moorland. It has suffered serious declines, so is also a priority species and protected under the Countryside and Wildlife Act, 1981.