Habitat: Mainly dunes and heaths, but also other open areas such as forest edges, marshy areas and gardens.

Appearance: Widely distributed in Europe. In Belgium and the Netherlands, it is a very common butterfly found throughout the country.

Flying season: One generation. Early April to mid-August.

Characteristics: Wingspan 32-42 mm.

Life cycle: Host plants are Common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) and other species of ragwort such as Dune ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris ssp. Dunensis). The females lay clusters of yellow eggs on the underside of the leaves of the host plant. Caterpillars are exposed on the host plant during the day. The species overwinters as a pupa in a loose cocoon in the ground. The butterfly flies during the day and is attracted to light at night.