Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina)

MEADOW BROWN (Maniola jurtina) – THE TOUGH, NO-NONSENSE BUTTERFLY! 🦋💪

Let me tell you something, folks—the Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) might not be the flashiest butterfly, but don’t let that fool you! This is one of the most successful, most widespread butterflies in Europe. Some butterflies are all about looks—this one? All about survival. Resilient. Hardworking. A true champion!

GENERAL INFO – VERY IMPORTANT, PAY ATTENTION!

• Scientific Name: Maniola jurtina – Very strong, very official.
• Common Name: Meadow Brown – Because it dominates the meadows!
• Family: Nymphalidae – One of the best butterfly families, folks. No doubt.
• Wingspan: 40–50 mm (1.5–2 inches) – Compact but highly effective.
• Lifespan: Weeks as an adult, but it keeps the cycle going strong!

APPEARANCE – UNDERSTATED, BUT BRILLIANT!

• Wings:
  • Earthy brown tones, with an orange patch and a single black eyespot – Simple, classic, always in style!
  • Females are more colorful than males, but both are built for survival.
  • Underside? Perfect camouflage! Blends right in with dry grass—stealth mode engaged.
• Body:
  • Lean, built for efficiency!
• Antennae:
  • Slim, precise, designed for sensing the best flowers!

DISTRIBUTION – ABSOLUTELY EVERYWHERE, BECAUSE IT’S A WINNER!

• Found all across Europe, North Africa, and even into Asia – Thriving in multiple regions!
• One of the most common butterflies in Britain and Europe – A total domination story!
• Loves grasslands, meadows, gardens, and even roadsides – Highly adaptable, highly successful!

BEHAVIOR – SMART, STRATEGIC, ALWAYS WORKING!

• Flies in dull weather – While other butterflies wait for sunshine, this one keeps going!
• Fast, low flight – Avoids predators, stays under the radar, totally tactical.
• Territorial battles? Males will chase off rivals to secure mates—very competitive!
• Prefers walking over flying when feeding – Why waste energy? Smart move!

DIET – PURE EFFICIENCY, PURE SUCCESS!

• Caterpillars: Love grasses like fescues and bents – Tough, reliable food source!
• Adults: Enjoy nectar from thistles, knapweed, and bramble – Goes straight for the good stuff!

PREDATORS & THREATS – NOT FAIR, BUT IT SURVIVES!

• Birds, spiders, wasps – They try, but Meadow Brown’s camouflage is top-tier!
• Habitat loss – Bad management, folks! Let the meadows grow!
• Climate change – We need to protect our grasslands!

CONSERVATION STATUS – STILL WINNING, FOLKS!

• IUCN Status: Least Concern – Absolutely thriving!
• One of the most numerous butterflies in the UK and Europe – Nobody does it better!

FINAL THOUGHTS – A WORKHORSE BUTTERFLY, A TRUE SURVIVOR!

The Meadow Brown isn’t here to show off—it’s here to dominate the meadows, survive, and reproduce like a champion. It flies when others don’t, it camouflages better than most, and it’s one of the most successful butterflies in Europe.

🦋🔥

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common tiger (Danaus genutia)

Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines)

Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album)

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

Orange gull (Cepora judith)

Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Common copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Blue glassy tiger (Ideopsis similis)

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

Download full size image The Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is a charming butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, known for its striking appearance and widespread distribution across Europe and parts of Asia. Here's a detailed description: Physical Characteristics: The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is of medium size, with a wingspan typically ranging from 45 to 55 millimeters. It displays a distinctive pattern of bright orange wings bordered by a black band with white spots. The forewings also feature a row of blue crescents near the outer edge, while the hindwings have a series of blue spots and a border of black and yellow. The undersides of the wings are mottled brown, providing effective camouflage when the butterfly is at rest. Habitat and Distribution: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are commonly found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, woodlands, gardens, and urban areas. They are distributed across much of Europe, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean region, as well as parts of Asia, such as Siberia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. They are particularly abundant in temperate regions with diverse plant species. Behavior and Life Cycle: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are diurnal and active during the warmer months of the year, especially in spring and summer. They are strong and agile flyers, often seen fluttering among flowers in search of nectar and mates. The females lay eggs singly on the leaves of stinging nettles (Urtica spp.), which serve as the primary larval host plant. The caterpillars hatch from the eggs and feed on the leaves of the host plants before pupating and emerging as adult butterflies. Conservation Status: The Small Tortoiseshell is not considered globally threatened and is generally common and widespread throughout its range. However, like many butterfly species, it may face localized threats due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation caused by agricultural intensification, urbanization, and climate change. Conservation efforts focused on preserving and restoring habitats, protecting larval host plants, and minimizing human disturbance are crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic butterfly species. Overall, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful and ecologically important species, valued for its striking appearance, graceful flight, and role in pollination and ecosystem functioning. Its presence adds vibrancy and vitality to natural landscapes and serves as a symbol of the rich biodiversity of the regions where it is found.

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

False heath fritillary (Melitaea diamina)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Northern chequered skipper (Carterocephalus silvicola)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Chestnut heath (Coenonympha glycerion)

Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino)

Common tiger (Danaus genutia)

European peacock (Inachis io)

Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Julia Heliconian (Dryas iulia)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

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