(Linnaeus, 1758)
Meadow Brown
Description:
The Meadow Brown is a common butterfly of many different sorts of grassland, both natural grasslands and not too intensively used farmland, and semi-natural grassland. The butterflies are noticeable by their lively behaviour.
The female deposits her eggs on a large number of grasses, including species of fescue (Festuca spp.), false-brome (Brachypodium spp.), cock's-foot (Dactylus spp.), dog's-tail (Cynosurus spp.), and brome (Bromus spp.). Sometimes, she also just drops the eggs in flight. The caterpillar goes into hibernation in the litter layer when half-grown. It also pupates deep in the litter layer.
The Meadow Brown has one generation a year.
Habitat:
Mesophile grasslands
Similar species:
Maniola nurag
Hyponephele lycaon
Hyponephele lupinus
Pyronia tithonus