Description
it is worth looking up at prominent ash trees along wood edges to see if small clusters of adults may be flitting around. they congregate to mate and feed on aphid honeydew. adults also sometimes feed lower down on flowers such as hemp-agrimony, common fleabane and bramble. the females are most frequently seen as they disperse widely along hedgerows where they lay conspicuous white eggs on young blackthorn shoots. the butterfly often rests with its wings closed showing orange-brown underwings with two wavy white streaks and small tails. uppersides are brown with an orange mark. it is locally distributed in southern britain and mid-west ireland and has undergone a substantial decline due to hedgerow removal and annual flailing, which removes eggs.
Habitat
Hedges, scrub and woodland edge where Blackthorn is prominent and not flailed every year.
Countries
Countries: England, Wales, and Ireland
Wing span range
0mm
