Common tussock butterfly
Common NameCommon tussock butterfly
Scientific NameManiola jurtina
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)48
Primary Colorsorange, brown, black
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, verges, open woodlands, gardens
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia
Host Plantsvarious grasses (Poaceae)
Flight PeriodJune to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on grass blades, larvae feed on grasses and overwinter as caterpillars, pupation occurs close to the ground.
Identification TipsLook for the single large black eyespot with a white pupil on the forewing, often visible on both upper and underside, and the overall dull brown and orange coloration.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with dull brown upperwings, an orange patch on the forewing featuring a prominent black eyespot with a white pupil. The underside is a mottled brown and orange with several smaller eyespots on the hindwings.
