Small Heath

• Latin name: Coenonympha pamphilus
• Family group: Browns
• Countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
• Size: Small

Resident

Range stable.

The Small Heath is an inconspicuous butterfly that flies only in sunshine and rarely settles more than a metre above the ground. Its wings are always kept closed when at rest. The number of broods and the flight periods are variable and adults may be seen continuously from late April to September on some sites in southern England.

This relatively widespread butterfly can occupy a range of habitat types and, although its range has changed little, many colonies have disappeared in recent decades.

Conservation status

• UK BAP status: Priority Species (for research only)
• Butterfly Conservation priority: high
• European threat status: not threatened

European/world range

Throughout Europe to 69B:N, in north Africa and eastwards to Mongolia. It is stable in most European countries.

Foodplants

Fine grasses, especially fescues (Festuca spp.), meadow-grasses (Poa spp.), and bents (Agrostis spp.).

Habitat

This species occurs on grassland where there are fine grasses, especially in dry, well-drained situations where the sward is short and sparse. The largest colonies occur on downland, heathland, and coastal dunes. Smaller populations occur in many other locations including roadside verges, waste ground, woodland rides and glades, moorland, and parkland.