Meadow Brown
ExploreInsects
Meadow Brown
Maniola jurtina
The Meadow Brown is a lovely butterfly with orange-brown wings. It flutters around meadows and fields, bringing joy to everyone who sees it!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Meadow Brown is a medium-sized butterfly with dull brown wings. Males are almost entirely brown, while females typically have a prominent orange-brown patch on their forewings, each usually sporting a single black eyespot near the tip.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusManiola
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Meadow Brown butterflies can 'play dead' by dropping to the ground if threatened!
Some Meadow Brown males perform aerial 'dogfights' to win over females!
Their caterpillars overwinter by hiding in grass, enduring cold and even snow!
Unlike most, these butterflies can fly even on surprisingly dull, cloudy days!
Special abilities
Ability
Eyespot Blocker
Meadow Brown has a distinctive eyespot on its forewings that can distract predators, drawing attacks away from its vital body parts.
Ability
Cool Weather Flyer
Meadow Brown can fly on cooler, overcast days, thanks to a lower temperature threshold that keeps it active.
Ability
Grassland Camouflage
Meadow Brown has dull brown underwings, helping it blend perfectly with dry grasses when resting, avoiding detection.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 35-50 mm
- Size
- 15-25 mm
- Lifespan
- 330-365 days
- Flight Speed
- 15 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adult butterflies sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on grass leaves.
Age differences: Caterpillars feed on various grass leaves, while adult butterflies primarily consume nectar from flowers.
Primary Foods
- Nectar (Thistle)
- Nectar (Bramble)
- Nectar (Ragwort)
- Grass leaves (e.g., fescues)
- Grass leaves (e.g., meadow-grasses)
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
European Robin
Erithacus rubecula
Robins hunt adult butterflies as a food source.
eaten by
Wasp Spider
Argiope bruennichi
These spiders build large webs that can trap adult butterflies.
pollinates
Creeping Thistle
Cirsium arvense
The butterfly sips nectar, aiding in the thistle's reproduction.
depends on
Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis
Meadow Brown caterpillars feed on the leaves of this grass species.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meadow Brown's wingspan?
35-50 mm
How big is Meadow Brown?
15-25 mm
How long does Meadow Brown live?
330-365 days
How fast can Meadow Brown fly?
15 km/h
What does Meadow Brown eat?
Adult butterflies sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on grass leaves.
Where is Meadow Brown usually found?
Grasslands
How does Meadow Brown hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Meadow Brown have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
_(7736461008).jpg&width=800)
_Bibio_marci.jpg&width=800)
