Browns

Family: SATYRIDAE

A group of mainly grassland butterflies that mostly occur in colonies that can be quite numerous when established. Medium sized butterflies, all their larvae being grass feeders.

WALL BROWN Lasiommata megera

As can be seen from the pictures above, the sexes of the Wall Brown are quite different, the male (left) being noticeably darker and with diagonal black bands running across the forewings - scent scales used in courtship. It gets it's name from its delight of sunning itself on walls, rocks, paths, etc and flies and behaves more akin to an Aristocrat than the typical bobbing, leisurely nature of most of the Browns. It prefers open habitats and grassland areas. Walls have become nationally rather scarce in recent years, so it is encouraging that our garden is starting to appear very suited to them - their numbers are steadily increasing after a very poor start that echoed the national decline.

CURRENT STATUS Breeds on site but very unstable. Target species for protection. LARVAL FOODPLANT Grasses. FAVOURED NECTAR PLANTS Buddleia; hawkweeds; fox-and-cubs; ragwort; scabious; devil's-bit scabious; marjoram; hemp agrimony; Verbena bonariensis. WHEN SEEN May and June; late July to September. SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS Quite an elaborate mosaic of grass heights seems to benefit the egg-laying requirements of the females, who often prefer to lay on very sparse grasses, from which the growing caterpillars can then move away into higher grasses.

GATEKEEPER Pyronia tithonus

Alternatively less romantically known as the Hedge Brown, this Brown frequents hedgerows or shrubby areas, as well as actual woodland rides and clearings. In good colonies it can become very abundant indeed, and the numbers are very nicely growing in our garden where it happily breeds. Pictured is a male, the sexes being different as in the Wall Brown.

CURRENT STATUS Becoming increasingly common. Breeds regulalry on site. LARVAL FOODPLANT Grasses that are sheltered by shrubs or hedges. FAVOURED NECTAR PLANTS Marjoram; scabious; Verbena bonariensis; privet; hemp agrimony;buddleia; bramble. WHEN SEEN July and August. SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS The creation of a habitat that loosely fits it's natural hedgerow-type environment is the main criteria, otherwise providing grasses as described in larval foodplants above.

MEADOW BROWN Maniola jurtina

It is usually the male of most species that is the most flamboyant, but not in the case of the Meadow Brown, The rather drab male is on the left. A very common butterfly in Britain, and the most common Brown in our garden. Any type of grassy area will suit these butterflies, hence their abundance.

CURRENT STATUS Very well established resident. LARVAL FOODPLANT Most grasses. FAVOURED NECTAR PLANTS Scabious; marjoram; knapweed; buddleia; Verbena bonariensis; privet; hemp agrimony; thistles. WHEN SEEN June - September. SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS Grassy areas - it really is not too fussy.

SMALL HEATH Coenonympha pamphilus

This tiny butterfly is one of the few that never open their wings once settled. Neverthelss it conveys it's own degree of charm and is lovely to see a few of them flitting around the garden. In heathland and open countryside where short grass prevails this is one of our commonest species, but it is incredibly difficult to get it to take to gardens, even large purposely designed ones like ours.

CURRENT STATUS Occasional visitor. No remaining nearby colony to my knowledge. Last seen 2002. LARVAL FOODPLANT Fine grasses, such as fescues. FAVOURED NECTAR PLANTS Oxeye daisy; marjoram. WHEN SEEN June to early July; August and September. SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS If anyone knows of any successful ways of encouraging this butterfly to gardens permanently, please let me know.

RINGLET Aphantopus hyperantus

When fresh, the males of this species are nearly jet black and look very striking with the faint white borders to their wings. All too soon though they become very drab and uninspiring - their ornate underside markings remain pretty however. Another butterfly that is under no obvious threat, very common in strong localities, more at home in and around woodland than true open situations. The steep sided sheltered dyke banks are very much to their liking, and now they are spilling out into our garden and making a home for themselves.

CURRENT STATUS Becomin commoner in and around the garden - breeds on site. LARVAL FOODPLANT Grasses. FAVOURED NECTAR PLANTS Privet; creeping thistle (note - this is a troublesome weed to me like anyone else, but where it occurs, mainly on the dyke banks, the Ringlets adore it.) WHEN SEEN July and August. SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS By ensuring much of the site is sheltered with long grasses in places, the Ringlet appears quite content to stay with us.