Wall - Lasiommata megera

This golden brown butterfly is criss-crossed with dark lines. The male has obvious sex brands on the forewings.

The Wall gets its name from the characteristic behaviour of resting with wings two-thirds open on any bare surface, including bare ground and, of course, walls! Many people will have come across this butterfly on footpaths, especially in coastal areas, where the butterfly flies up when disturbed, before setting again a few metres ahead.

The first generation of adults emerge in early May, peaking at the end of May and early June, or a little later in the north of England and Scotland. They give rise to a second brood that emerges at the end of July, or mid-August further north. There are two generations each year and, on occasion, a small third generation may appear in October.

This butterfly is found in relatively small colonies that are self-contained although some individuals will wander, allowing the species to quickly colonise suitable nearby sites. The larvae feed on a range of grass species.

This species was once known to occur throughout England, Wales and Ireland. Today, however, it is a very different picture, with the species suffering severe declines over the last several decades and now being confined to primarily coastal regions.

Now rare in Leicestershire and Rutland.