# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Meadow Brown](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Maniola.jurtina.male.jpg&width=800) Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maniola.jurtina.male.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Maniola ## 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 - **Eyespot Blocker:** Meadow Brown has a distinctive eyespot on its forewings that can distract predators, drawing attacks away from its vital body parts. - **Cool Weather Flyer:** Meadow Brown can fly on cooler, overcast days, thanks to a lower temperature threshold that keeps it active. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — The butterfly sips nectar, aiding in the thistle's reproduction. - **Depends on:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Meadow Brown caterpillars feed on the leaves of this grass species. ## Traits - [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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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 Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Meadow Brown? 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Skandinavisk Dyrepark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skandinavisk-dyrepark) — Central Denmark Region, DK · Zoo - [Schlosspark Belvedere mit Orangerie (Weimar)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belvedere-palace-park-orangery-weimar) — Thüringen, DE · Park ## 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: [Meadow Brown: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/meadow-brown)