Small Heath: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Butterflies of Europe · day 2 of 7

Five facts

1. Its subfamily is nicknamed "the browns", and the small heath is the smallest butterfly in it.
2. It never sits with open wings. To warm up, it keeps them closed and tilts its body sideways, at a right angle to the sun's rays.
3. A young female lays heavy, green eggs. After about 100 eggs, or late in life, her eggs become lighter and yellow.
4. Weather changes how males find a mate. When it's cool, they guard a patch of ground. When it's hot, they roam to meet passing females.
5. It even lives in cities. Parks, gardens and green paths act as corridors that help it move from one patch to the next.

The quiz

1. What is special about the small heath within "the browns"?

• It is the largest
• It flies only at night
• It is the smallest (correct)
• It is the only blue one

It is the smallest butterfly in its subfamily.

2. How does a small heath rest to warm up?

• Wings spread flat, facing the sun
• Wings closed, tilted at a right angle to the sun (correct)
• Hanging upside down in the shade
• Buried in dry leaves

It only ever rests with its wings closed, angled at 90° to the sun.

3. How do the eggs of an older female differ?

• They are lighter and yellow (correct)
• They are heavier and greener
• They are bigger and red
• They are laid in huge piles

Older females lay lighter, yellow eggs.

4. What do males tend to do when the weather is cool?

• Roam widely looking for females
• Fly south
• Hide underground
• Stay put and guard their territory (correct)

In the cool, staying to defend a territory pays off; in the heat, roaming does.

5. Which city places help small heaths move around towns?

• Road tunnels
• Parks, gardens and green paths (correct)
• Car parks
• Shopping centres

Green patches like parks, gardens and greenways form corridors through cities.

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