The Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus

The larvae of this species feed on various grasses while the adults are on the wing from July to September.

 

gatekeeper male   gatekeeper female  
Male Female

Many people tend to confuse this species with the Meadow Brown but that species has a single white spot in the black circle on the forewing whereas the Gatekeeper has two. The Gatekeeper has a distinctive orangey centre to the wings with broad, blackish margins and is also significantly smaller.

This species was unheard of in North Staffordshire in the 1970s but now it is  common everywhere. In fact, it can be the commonest butterfly in late summer.

 gatekeeper us  

The Species