Pearly Heath
Common NamePearly Heath
Scientific NameCoenonympha arcania
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)37
Primary Colorsorange, grey, white, black
HabitatWoodland clearings, forest edges, meadows, grassy slopes
Geographic RangeCentral and Southern Europe, extending eastwards into parts of Asia
Host PlantsPoa, Festuca, Brachypodium
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on grass blades. Larvae feed on various grasses and overwinter. Pupation occurs close to the ground.
Identification TipsLook for the broad, irregular white band on the underside of the hindwing, which sharply contrasts with the grey-brown ground color and contains a row of black, white-pupilled eyespots. The upperside is a uniform orange-brown with a single apical eyespot on the forewing.
Description
A small to medium-sized butterfly with bright orange forewings and greyish-brown hindwings on the underside, featuring a distinctive white band adorned with several prominent black eyespots.
