Whilst plentiful in southern Britain and mainland Europe, this species is only found along Ireland’s southern coast, where it is at the northern limit of its distribution. It can be quite numerous in suitable habitats, such as the Blackdown Hills in Devon where I saw them in their hundreds. It is sometimes called the ‘Hedge Brown’, as it frequently patrols along hedgerows and woodland areas with adjacent grassland. Compared to the other Gatekeeper species in Europe, it has less rounded wings, no underside eyespots and a broken cream-coloured band on its underside hindwing. Its common name apparently comes from its habit of basking on stone walls.

Distribution: Central and Southern Europe as far north as Britain; absent from S Germany, parts of Switzerland, the far N and S of Italy and much of the Mediterranean.

Flight Period: July-September in 1 brood.

Habitat: Scrub, hedgerows, meadows, grassy areas, woodland edges, usually at lower altitudes.

Foodplants: Various grasses, such as bents (Agrostis) and fescues (Festuca).

Nectar Sources: Thistles (Cirsium), brambles (Rubus), Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris), mints (Mentha), Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), Marjoram (Origanum vulgare).

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