Ruby Tiger (hatching from the pupa)

Wingspan 30–35 mm. The colour varies from pale cinnamon brown to dark brown. Flies April–September – mostly at night, but also by day – in open country and woodland clearings. Occurs in two 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.× – the first in April–May and the second in July–September. The caterpillar lives on various plants, including grasses and heather. Caterpillars of the summer generation overwinter and pupate in March–April. The pupal stage lasts about 4 weeks.