Darwin's heath
Common NameDarwin's heath
Scientific NameCoenonympha darwiniana
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Primary Colorsorange, brown, grey, black, white
HabitatAlpine meadows, rocky slopes, subalpine grasslands
Geographic RangeEuropean Alps (Switzerland, Italy, Austria, France)
Host Plantsvarious grasses (Poaceae)
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesTypically has one brood per year, with larvae overwintering before pupating in spring.
Identification TipsKey features include the prominent row of white-ringed black eyespots on the underside of the hindwing, its small size, and its restricted alpine habitat in the European Alps.
Description
A small butterfly with orange forewings and mottled grey-brown hindwings, featuring a distinctive row of white-ringed black eyespots on the underside.
