Gatekeeper
Pyronia tithonus
Conservation status: Common
When to see: July to August
About
Sometimes called the Hedge Brown, but commonly referred to as the Gatekeeper, is a medium-sized butterfly with a beautiful brown hue and big orange patches in the middle of the wings. This stunning creature can be spotted fluttering about in the months of July and August and is often found in grasslands, hedgerows, woodland edges, and even gardens. If you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Gatekeeper, you may notice it feeding on a variety of flowers, including wild marjoram, bramble, and ragworts. However, it tends to avoid areas of short, open grassland. The caterpillars of the Gatekeeper feed on a variety of grasses, such as fescues and bents.
| See also different: | Garden butterflies |
