Advanced Butterfly Identification, Browns
(The Satyridae family)
back to common Browns
The 2 common Browns you will see are the Meadow Brown and the Gatekeeper. There are, however, also Wall, Ringlet, Grayling, Small Heath and Large Heath in this family that can be seen less commonly in North Wales. On this page we show you how to tell the difference between them and the commoner species.
See the Regional Species page for more details of habitats, life cycles and distribution.
Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Note although it has similar colouring and spots to the Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper, it is a lot greyer. Also it is somewhat more 'furry' and smaller.
Meadow Brown, underwing (Maniola jurtina)
This is one of our most common butterflies, but when you only see this underside view it could be confused with a Gatekeeper or Small Heath. Note the wavy dark line at the edge of the darkest patch next to the body on the lower underwing and no spots. Also there is a broad paler fawn band between this irregular dark line and the brown band at the edge of the wing.
Gatekeeper, underwing (Pyronia tithonus)
It can be confused with the Meadow Brown - but look for the broad brown band round edges (including top edge) of all its orange wings. Also note that the paler, fawn band on the lower underwing is narrower than the meadow Brown, and there are also some spots on this wing.
Large Heath (Coenonympha tullia)
This butterfly is the scarcest of all the Browns in North Wales. It is only recorded from 3 or 4 locations and you will only find it in very boggy habitats where its larvae feed on Cotton Grass It is larger and has more spots on the wings than the Small Heath.
Wall Brown, underwing (Lasiomata megera)
The underwing could be confused with the grayling - but notice the Wall has circular spots on the underwings whereas none of the Grayling, Meadow Brown nor Gatekeeper do.
Ringlet
(Aphantopus hyperantus)
Dark chocolate brown with more rings, on all wings, than any other brown. In flight you will generally notice these are more dark brown than any of the others on this page.
Grayling, underwing (Hipparchia semele)
Similar to Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and Walls, but the Grayling has two spots on the upper top wings. However, you are more likely to only see the underwing as it settles with wings tight shut. Note the underwing has a more gray, speckled appearance than the others. This is one of our scarcer butterflies, that likes bare, gravelly, gritty habitats, and does not come into gardens very often - you will find them on old railway lines, quarries and beaches.
It has a characteristic habit of suddenly falling to one side when gently disturbed.
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