Coate Water, Swindon, Wiltshire, U.K.
Order : Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Sub-Family: Satyrinae
Genus : Pyronia
Species: Pyronia tithonus
A medium sized butterfly with a wingspan of 40-47mm. Very common and widespread throughout much of Europe although not everywhere. It is noticeably absent in Scandinavia, Scotland, and the Mediterranean Islands. It's eastward range extends only as far as western Turkey.
Habitat is almost anywhere that long grass is found near to tress and hedges. It can also be found on heathland and other rough grassland where there is scrub. Usually only males are seen, the females being somewhat shy and elusive. The larval foodplant is various grasses but with preference to fine grasses such as members of the Agrostis, Festuca, and Poa families.
All my insect pics are handheld single shots of live animals, usually in the wild.
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