Marine Biodiversity
Habitat: Machair
Species: Small Heath Butterfly
Scientific name: Coenonympha pamphilus
Size: Small size, wingspan: 33 – 37 mm
Colour: Light brown with a show of orange when in flight, noticeable black eye-spot at the top of its forewing
Distribution: Nationwide, more frequent in Coastal areas and the Burren
This is the smallest of the brown butterflies and is found in many habitats including Machair, dry grasslands and fixed dunes. Adults usually roost on flower heads and when at rest their wings remain shut. They lay their eggs on blades of grass, which is a suitable food for their hatching larvae.
They are a near threatened species in Ireland.
