There were quite a few of these butterflies at Gaitbarrows and then, the next day, I photographed this female basking on a leaf of our apple tree. This was the first (and only) time I had seen this species in our garden.

This is another butterfly which has chosen various grasses as its larval food plants: Dactylis glomerata (Cock's-foot grass), Brachypodium sylvaticum (False brome) and Molinea caerulea (Purple-moor Grass) being amongst its favourites.

LHS: Our Garden, Cheshire 13th June 2004 RHS and Middle Gaitbarrows 12th June 2004

Added on 3rd Oct 04, amended Jan 30th 05, updated 27th Jun & Nov 6th 08, updated 9th Jun 10