Small Heath

Wingspan 24-34 mm. Flies from May to September in 2 generationsgeneration A butterfly flies in 2 generations when the year’s first newly emerged adults (1st generation) bring a new “brood” (“children”) capable of flight into the world in the same year. With 3 generations there are “grandchildren” as well in the same year. The number of generations determines in how many months of the year we can see the butterfly.×. Lives on open, dry and often sandy grassland. Seen in large numbers on the dike and to a lesser extent in the plantation. Males set up territories around a bush or the like, which they defend jealously and from which they chase females to mate. Often sunbathes in the afternoon on leaves or on the ground. The caterpillar feeds on several different grasses – mostly Sheep’s Fescue – and overwinters in the grass tussocks.