Maniola jurtina
I often see this butterfly in my local fields, and sometimes I am fortunate to have it visit my garden. The male upperside is plain brown with a dark sex brand in the rear half of the forewing and a single orange-ringed eyespot. The female is generally lighter and has bright orange patches on the forewings. The eyespot is usually larger than that of the male, and sometimes, although rare, it may contain two pupils which may lead to mistaken identification as a Gatekeeper. Wingspan 55mm.
The caterpillar feeds on a wide range of grasses.
The adults fly May to October, and they are found in grassy places of all kinds, including open woodland. Common and widespread.
Photographs taken June and July 2006, local field and rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2006. Camera Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W1.