Similar in appearance to the Pearly Heath but with a much-reduced white underside band which aids in identification. The subspecies iphioides found in Spain with bolder spots and a more prominent orange marginal band is sometimes considered a separate species. Sometimes seen flying in dull conditions. I found a few settled among grass stems on one early morning in Transylvania, where they were easily approached.
Distribution: NE Spain, Massif Central, E France across Europe to S Finland and N Greece. Absent from most of Italy bar Venosta and Swiss border region. Expanding northwards.
Flight Period: Late May-August in 1 brood.
Habitat: Open woodland clearings, meadows, waste ground, light scrub, grassland.
Foodplants: Various grasses (Poaceae).
Nectar Sources: Not an avid nectar feeder but will take nectar from small flowers in its habitat occasionally, such as mayweeds (Matricaria), thistles (Cirsium), bistorts (Bistorta) and Clary (Salvia pratensis).
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- Chestnut Heath, Cluj, Romania, June 2019
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- Timothy Grass, Phleum pratense, a probable foodplant.
