Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)

OTHER NAMES: Selvedged Heath Eye, Golden Heath Eye
Latin Etymology: Coenonympha ("common nymph") pamphilus ("loved by all")

Adult Small Heath (subspecies C. p. pamphilus) at Geddington, Northants - June 2011

Featured Subspecies: Coenonympha pamphilus pamphilus
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 33-37mm
UK Status: Near Threatened / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

In many ways similar to the larger Meadow Brown, the Small Heath is smaller (as the name suggests) and paler than its counterpart. It is also seemingly less numerous, although that may vary with habitat. Quite a dainty butterfly, it is probably less noticable than many species.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Nymphalidae 
Genus: Coenonympha
SUBSPECIES: C. p.lyllus, C. p. marginata, C. p. fulvolactea, C. p. centralasiae, C. p. infrarasa, C. p. juldusica, C. p.ferghana, C. p. nitidissima, C. p. asiaemontium, C. p. rhoumensis, C. p. pamphilus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species

 - Seen in Geddington, Brigstock and numerous other locations

Further Notes: BirdGuides, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto