Photograph by Tony Mainwood
DESCRIPTION
Uppersides of wings dark brown, almost black when freshly emerged. Several pupilled areas on orange bands around wing margins.
Wingspan 44 - 48mm (male), 46 - 52mm (female).
LIFE CYCLE
Single brooded. Ova laid singly on grass blades, hatching after 12 - 18 days. Larvae hibernate, resuming (nocturnal) feeding in late March. Pupal stage, lasting about 16 days, commences in July.
FLIGHT TIMES
From late July, with largest numbers to be seen from early August throughout that month.
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION
A common late summer species in many places in Moray and Highland. In the west it is found in Skye and up to northwest Sutherland.
LINKS