Pearly Heath
Common NamePearly Heath
Scientific NameCoenonympha arcania
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilySatyrinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Wing Patterneyespot
Primary Colorsorange, brown, grey, black
HabitatForest clearings, woodland edges, meadows
Geographic RangeCentral and Southern Europe, extending eastwards into Russia
Host Plantsgrasses
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on grass blades. Larvae feed on grasses and overwinter, with pupation occurring close to the ground.
Identification TipsDistinguished by the prominent black eyespot with two white pupils on the orange forewing patch and the mottled grey-brown hindwing underside with a distinctive pale band.
Description
A small to medium-sized butterfly with an orange patch on the forewing containing a prominent black eyespot with two white pupils, and mottled grey-brown hindwing undersides.
