# Gatekeeper (*Pyronia tithonus*) The Gatekeeper is a beautiful butterfly with orange wings and dark spots. It loves to flutter around sunny fields and gardens, bringing joy to everyone who sees it. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Gatekeeper Butterfly ![Gatekeeper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pyronia_tithonus_MHNT_CUT_2013_3_32_Balma_female.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pyronia_tithonus_MHNT_CUT_2013_3_32_Balma_female.jpg) ## Appearance The Gatekeeper is a medium-sized butterfly with warm orange-brown wings outlined by dark brown margins. Each forewing features a distinct black 'eyespots' with a white pupil, making it easily identifiable. Its hindwings are duller, providing contrast to its vibrant forewings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Pyronia ## Interesting facts - Did you know Gatekeeper butterflies only fly when the sun is shining brightly? - Gatekeepers get their name because they are often found near gates and hedgerows! - Their tiny caterpillars love to munch on different types of grass, not flowers! - These butterflies are real homebodies, rarely flying far from where they were born! ## Special abilities - **Eyespot Defense:** Gatekeeper has prominent 'eyespots' on its wings that can startle predators or direct attacks to less vital body parts. - **Blended Beauty:** Gatekeeper's duller hindwing undersides help it blend into dry grasses and leaves when resting, hiding from sharp-eyed predators. - **Sweet Nectar Seeker:** Gatekeeper can detect specific flower scents, helping it quickly locate the best sources of sugary nectar for energy. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-42 mm - **Size:** 18-22 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Gatekeepers enjoy sipping sweet nectar from flowers, while their caterpillars feast on a variety of grass types. - **Age differences:** Yes, caterpillars eat grass, but adults only drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Bramble nectar, Thistle nectar, Cock's-foot grass, Meadow grass - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Blue Tit (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Predatory bird that catches adult butterflies. - **Pollinates:** Bramble (*Rubus fruticosus*) — Transfers pollen between flowers while feeding. - **Depends on:** Cock's-foot (*Dactylis glomerata*) — Its leaves are a primary food source for caterpillars. - **Eaten by:** Garden Cross Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Traps adult butterflies in its sticky web. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle creatures, but it's best to watch them from a distance and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Gatekeeper? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Gatekeeper's wingspan? 35-42 mm ### How big is Gatekeeper? 18-22 mm ### How long does Gatekeeper live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Gatekeeper fly? 15 km/h ### What does Gatekeeper eat? Adult Gatekeepers enjoy sipping sweet nectar from flowers, while their caterpillars feast on a variety of grass types. ### Where is Gatekeeper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Gatekeeper hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Gatekeeper: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gatekeeper)