Small Heath

This beautiful little insect is one of our commoner grassland butterflies. And is found in a selection of habitats, including grass verges, meadows, woodland rides and clearings, etc But not so often seen, as they tend to fly low down in amongst the vegetation, and always rest with their wings closed. The female is larger and paler in colour than the male.

Female Small Heath

The smaller male where you would normally find them, down in amongst the vegetation

There are 2-3 broods a year, depending on how far south or north they are, with the ovum being laid on various meadow grasses, Fescues and Bents. In the summer the transformation from egg to butterfly takes about 8-9 weeks. They also overwinter as a larva.