Large Heath (Coenonympha tullia) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Male of subspecies davus. Taken at Meathop Moss, Cumbria, on June 23rd 2018. (1/800th sec at f13. © David Hastings) DescriptionFamily: Satyrinae Wing span: 35 - 40mm The Large Heath's forewing underside is orange with wide grey borders and a pale postdiscal line. The hindwing underside is dark brown at the base and pale brown at the edges, separated by a whiteish postdiscal band. There is considerable variation in hindwing markings. The sexes are similar. Three subspecies are found in the British Isles. Ssp davus is found in north-west England and central England near the border with Wales. Ssp polydama is mainly found in the north of England, southern Scotland and western Ireland. Ssp scotia is found in northern Scotland, most of the western isles and Orkney. It is found in central and northern Europe in boggy places. Typical habitats are marshes and peat bogs, moorland, damp grasslands and riverside meadows. There is one generation per year, with adults being on the wing from mid-June to the end of July. The larva is the over-wintering stage. The primary larval foodplant is Hare's-tail Cottongrass. Common Cottongrass and Jointed Rush are also used. Adults feed primarily on Cross-leaved Heath, Hawkweeds, Heather, Tormentil and White Clover. This butterfly tends to be flighty and difficult to approach. Vulnerable Sightings
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