Photograph by Tony Mainwood.
DESCRIPTION
Similar colours to Small Heath, but more diffused, giving an overall greyish effect. Eye spot located outwith pale streak on forewing, unlike Small Heath.
Wingspan 35 - 40mm.
LIFE CYCLE
Single brooded. Ova laid singly on hare's-tail cottongrass, hatching in about 15 days. Larvae feeds from July to September, hibernating until March, and becoming fully grown by May/June. Pupal stage lasts about 3 weeks. In the north, this species may have a 2 year life cycle, remaining as a larva all summer and hibernating in a second winter.
FLIGHT TIMES
July to August.
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION
Prefers boggy areas and damp acidic moorland. Occurs in suitable habitats in inland Moray, Highland, the Western Isles and Orkney. Absent from Shetland.
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