Wall Brown

lasiommata megera

The Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) is a delightful and active member of the brush-footed butterfly family, Nymphalidae. Named for its signature habit of basking on warm stone walls, gravel paths, and rocks, this insect is a sun-loving species that thrives in open, stony habitats. Its striking orange and dark brown pattern, dotted with deceptive eyespots, makes it an eye-catching encounter for nature enthusiasts. In flight, the Wall Brown exhibits a rapid, skipping pattern, moving quickly from one sunny patch to another. Despite its historic abundance across temperate climates, this butterfly has suffered mysterious and dramatic population declines in inland regions, making coastal sightings particularly treasured. It remains a fascinating subject of study due to its territorial nature and superb thermoregulatory tactics.

Hábitat: Found in open, sunny environments with sparse vegetation and bare ground, such as disused quarries, railway embankments, rocky coastal cliffs, and gravel paths.

Aspecto

This medium-sized butterfly features upperwings painted in a rich, marbled orange pattern with dark brown veins and bands. The most distinctive identifier is a large, black, white-pupiled eyespot near the tip of each forewing, complemented by a row of smaller eyespots along the edges of the hindwings. When resting, the Wall Brown typically folds its wings to reveal a mottled, cryptic underside of grey, brown, and cream, which provides outstanding camouflage against stones and dry earth. Males can be distinguished by a prominent dark brand of scent-scales on their forewings, and their wingspan generally ranges from 3 to 5 centimeters.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenLepidopteraFamiliaNymphalidaeGéneroLasiommata

Wall Brown

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

1/5 · Muy bajo

Snaps

¡Sé la primera persona en hacer un snap!

Datos interesantes

Depending on the warmth of the region, the Wall Brown can produce up to three successive generations in a single year.

The butterfly gets its common name from its habitual behavior of basking on stone walls, rocks, and bare pathways to absorb solar heat.

To protect itself from predators while resting, the Wall Brown closes its wings to reveal a mottled grey-brown underside that perfectly mimics stone or dry soil.

Habilidades especiales

It spreads its wings flat against stone walls or bare earth to rapidly absorb solar radiation, allowing it to fly in cooler conditions.

Large, concentric eyespots on the wingtips draw the attacks of birds and other predators away from the vulnerable body.

Males actively patrol small, warm territories, darting out aggressively to intercept and investigate any passing insects.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 222010212000021+ cm
Envergadura: 3+ cm
Peso: 0.0001+ kg
Esperanza de vida: 0+ años
Top Speed: 15 km/h
Tamaño de la puesta: 505001010315000+
Incubación: 101010000000000+ días

Dieta y alimentación

As caterpillars, they feed exclusively on various wild grasses, whereas the adult butterflies forage for nectar on a variety of wildflowers.

Alimentos principales

Cock's-foot grass (Dactylis glomerata)
Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus)
Bramble nectar (Rubus fruticosus)
Common Knapweed nectar (Centaurea nigra)

Método de búsqueda

Foraging20240417121043

Conexiones ecológicas

host plant

Cock's-foot Grass

Dactylis glomerata

The primary larval host plant, providing nutrition for the developing caterpillar.

mutualism

Bramble

Rubus fruticosus

Provides a crucial nectar source for adult butterflies during the summer months.

eaten by

Common Wasp

Vespula vulgaris

Acts as a major predator of both larvae and adult butterflies in scrub habitats.

Rasgos

Aún no hay insignias de rasgos asignadas a este objeto.

También conocido como

Todavía no hay alias listados.

Colecciones

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Seguridad

Peligro

1/5 · Muy bajo

Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Cómo identificar a Wall Brown?

La forma más fácil de identificar a Wall Brown es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.

¿Cuál es el longitud de Wall Brown?

222010212000021+ cm

¿Cuál es el envergadura de Wall Brown?

3+ cm

¿Cuál es el peso de Wall Brown?

0.0001+ kg

¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Wall Brown?

0+ años

¿Cuál es el top Speed de Wall Brown?

15 km/h

¿Qué come Wall Brown?

As caterpillars, they feed exclusively on various wild grasses, whereas the adult butterflies forage for nectar on a variety of wildflowers.

¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Wall Brown?

Found in open, sunny environments with sparse vegetation and bare ground, such as disused quarries, railway embankments, rocky coastal cliffs, and gravel paths.