Meadow Brown

Habitat: Mainly rough grasslands and scrubland with structures in the landscape such as hedgerows, hedges, verges or ditch banks; also agricultural areas, urban green spaces and wasteland.

Occurrence: Common and widespread in Europe. A very common and widespread butterfly in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Flying time: One generation. Early June to late August.

Characteristics: Wingspan 40-48 mm.

Life cycle: Host plants are from the grass family Poaceae, such as upright brome (Bromus erectus), sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina), common meadow grass (Poa pratensis) and meadow soft grass(Holcus lanatus). The female sticks the eggs one by one to green or withered grass stems close to the ground. The species overwinters as a half-grown caterpillar. Pupation usually takes place close to the ground on a withered grass stem. Adult butterflies feed on nectar from various flowers, but also on honeydew and the sap of rotting fruit and bleeding trees. They need this nectar as a source of energy and for the females to produce eggs.