NEN Gallery

Also called the Hedge Brown is a common butterfly found in hedgerows, grasslands etc. It is similar to the Meadow Brown; the two species can be difficult to distinguish with closed wings as their underwing markings are very similar. However, the Gatekeeper tends to rest with its wings open, whereas the Meadow Brown usually rests with its wings closed. The Gatekeeper is also smaller and more orange than the Meadow Brown and has double pupils on its eyespots. The larvae of Satyrinae all feed on grasses, such as Rough Meadowgrass Poa trivialis, Smooth Meadow Grass Poa pratensis, Sheep's Fescue, and are usually green or brown in colour. The pupae are a flimsy chrysalis either hanging upside down or lying in grass. The adults are often found round blackberry plants. Picture taken 23rd July 2006 at Old Warden, Bedfordshire.