Satyrids (Browns)
This family contains mainly brown and muted orange coloured butterflies with white-pupiled eye-spots, generally prominent at the tips of the forewings. The exception is the Marbled White which superficially appears to be closer related to the Pierid family. All caterpillars feed on grasses or sedges, are cryptically camouflaged and have tapering projections at head and tail. Chrysalises can be suspended or formed amongst moss and stones.
Wall (Lasiommata megera)
Wall (Lasiommata megera)

Wall (Lasiommata megera)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Tribe: Elymniini
Genus: Lasiommata
Species: megera

Key ID Features:
Bright orange with chocolate patterning including inner area of hindwings and wing edges.
Single bold black eye spot on fore-wings and row of 4 matching on hind-wings, all with single white inner spot.

Seen in UK: April- October

The Wall gets its name from the characteristic behaviour of resting with wings two-thirds open on any bare surface, including bare ground and, of course, walls! Many people will have come across this butterfly on footpaths, especially in coastal areas, where the butterfly flies up when disturbed, before setting again a few metres ahead.
The basking behaviour of this butterfly allows it to benefit from the full warmth of the sun whose rays shine directly on the butterfly, but also get reflected back onto the butterfly from whichever surface it is resting on. This habit allows the butterfly to raise its body temperature sufficiently high for it to fly. In particularly hot weather, however, such basking is avoided and the butterfly may even retreat to a suitably-shaded spot to avoid overheating.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Location: Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire

Photographer: Tim Tapley

Wall (Lasiommata megera)

Wall (Lasiommata megera)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Tribe: Elymniini
Genus: Lasiommata
Species: megera

Key ID Features:
Bright orange with chocolate patterning including inner area of hindwings and wing edges.
Single bold black eye spot on fore-wings and row of 4 matching on hind-wings, all with single white inner spot.

Seen in UK: April- October

The Wall gets its name from the characteristic behaviour of resting with wings two-thirds open on any bare surface, including bare ground and, of course, walls! Many people will have come across this butterfly on footpaths, especially in coastal areas, where the butterfly flies up when disturbed, before setting again a few metres ahead.
The basking behaviour of this butterfly allows it to benefit from the full warmth of the sun whose rays shine directly on the butterfly, but also get reflected back onto the butterfly from whichever surface it is resting on. This habit allows the butterfly to raise its body temperature sufficiently high for it to fly. In particularly hot weather, however, such basking is avoided and the butterfly may even retreat to a suitably-shaded spot to avoid overheating.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Location: Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire

Photographer: Tim Tapley