Information
| Red List status: | Least Concern |
| NERC Act S41: | Not listed |
| Local status: | Uncommon.
Found in discrete colonies, primarily on the chalk and in Marston Vale. Rarely in the north west and on western heaths.
Usually seen in small numbers, but dozens or more can sometimes be found.
Possibly under-recorded (e.g. an unknown colony in TL06 was recently found). |
| Size: | Small. |
| Larval foodplant: | Usually Common Bird's-foot-trefoil and Common Rock-rose. |
| No. of broods: | One.
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| Flight time(s): | Mid-April to mid-June.
Average first date: 17th April
Average last date: 15th June |
| Winter: | Pupa |
| Habits: | Spends much of the day perched on hawthorn. Can be found by gently pulling on a branch to shake the bush. The butterfly may then briefly fly.
As it never settles with wings open, it warms itself by tilting one underside to be at right-angles to the sun, then turns around to warm the other. |
| Habitats: | Likes areas of light hawthorn scrub on chalk downland and in the brick clay pits. Around Gorse and Broom on western heaths. |
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Distribution:
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