 |
Found in the north of the British Isles, the Large Heath is unique in that it is more or less confined to boggy areas. The Large Heath lives on the British mainland in isolated colonies from central Wales in the south to Orkney in the north, and also in scattered colonies throughout Ireland. It is absent from Shetland. The best colonies can be very large in good years, where the number of adults emerging is measured in thousands. Large colonies used to exist in the mosses around Manchester and Liverpool, but these have long since disappeared. The eye spots on the underside of this species vary considerably. Those in the north have almost no spots at all with adults looking like a large Small Heath, while those in the south have very distinctive spots. This has given rise to 3 named subspecies. Brakefield (1992) describes, in detail, the reason for this variation, which is believed to be natural selection based on predation by birds. The cooler climate in the north, along with fewer hours of daylight, results in less-active adults whose plain undersides make them difficult to find while at rest. Adults further south, on the other hand, are much more active and are more-likely to attract the attention of birds as a result. In this case, the distinct eye spots deflect the bird's attention away from the body. Subspecies: Coenonympha tullia tullia The nominate subspecies was first defined in Müller (1764) as shown here (type locality: Frederiksdal, Copenhagen, Denmark). It is not found in the British Isles. Subspecies: Coenonympha tullia davus This subspecies was first defined in Fabricius (1777) as shown here (type locality: Germany). This subspecies can be found in north-west England and central England near the border with Wales. This is the darkest and most colourful of the subspecies.
Subspecies: Coenonympha tullia polydama This subspecies was first defined in Haworth (1803) as shown here (type locality: Yorkshire, England). This subspecies is found in parts of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. In Wales it is found in central and north-west areas. It is also found in the north of England in Cumberland, North Northumberland, South Northumberland, North-east Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. It is found in southern Scotland from the border with England up to a line that runs between Renfrewshire in the west to South Aberdeenshire in the east, being replaced further north by the subspecies scotica. In Ireland this widespread in the north, but more isolated elsewhere. This subspecies is considered to be intermediate between davus and scotica. It differs from the subspecies davus in being somewhat paler on both upperside and underside, and with fewer eyespots on the underside. Those eyespots that are present are smaller in size and often lacking the white pupil.
Subspecies: Coenonympha tullia scotica This subspecies was first defined in Staudinger & Rebel (1901) (type locality: Scotland). This subspecies is found in northern Scotland, north of a line between the Clyde Isles in the west and North Aberdeenshire in the east. It is found in most of the western isles and is also present in Orkney. Nash (2012) suggests that this subspecies is also found in parts of Ireland. Brakefield (1992) considered a series of Irish specimens to be intermediate between scotica and polydama. In comparison with the subspecies polydama this subspecies is paler with minute, often absent, underside eyespots. Apart from its larger size, it appears very similar to its close cousin, the Small Heath.
There is one generation each year, with adults emerging at the end of June at most sites, peaking in early July. In northern Scotland and at high altitude adults emerge a little later, at the beginning of July. Subspecies: Coenonympha tullia davus Subspecies: Coenonympha tullia polydama Subspecies: Coenonympha tullia scotica The chart(s) above have been correlated with the phenology plot below, taken from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. The blue line gives average counts over the full data set from 1976 to date, and the red line gives the average for the last year. 
This butterfly is found in flat wetland areas such as bogs, waterlogged peat mosses and damp moorland where the foodplant, normally Hare's-tail Cottongrass, and appropriate nectar sources are also found. Sites are often clothed in Heather.
The primary larval foodplant is Hare's-tail Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum). Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium) and Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus) are also used.
Adults feed primarily on Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix), Hawkweeds (Hieracium/Hypochoeris), Heather (Calluna vulgaris / Erica spp.), Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) and White Clover (Trifolium repens).
Despite its slow and lumbering flight, the butterfly can be difficult to follow due to the boggy ground underfoot. Furthermore, when disturbed, the butterfly will launch itself into the air, often flying some distance before landing again. All in all, this is not always the easiest species to see, let alone photograph! The adults remain somewhat active even in dull weather, but will remain tucked away in vegetation in strong winds and cold weather. Males are more-often seen than females, which tend to stay hidden away in grass tussocks unless nectaring or egg laying. Adults always rest with their wings closed and regulate their temperature by orientating their wings at an appropriate angle to the sun. Both sexes take nectar, Cross-leaved Heath being a particular favourite that often grows alongside the foodplant. Subspecies: Coenonympha tullia davus
Subspecies: Coenonympha tullia polydama
Subspecies: Coenonympha tullia scotica
Description to be completed. Click here to see a full list of aberrations for this species. Unclassified Aberrations
ab. lanceolata (Arkle.Entom.1913.46.p.93.) On the underside the spots of both wings lanceolated.
The spherical eggs are laid singly on the foodplant, often on dead leaves at the base of the plant, and are pale yellow when first laid, although brown blotches develop after several days, the egg growing even darker as the larva develops within. This stage lasts around 2 weeks.
The larva feeds on the tender leaf tips of the foodplant and remains hidden away deep within the tussock when not feeding. The larva hibernates while in the 3rd instar and it has been known for larvae to pass two winters before pupating, particularly in northern colonies. The larva can also survive long periods under water and even being frozen - both distinct possibilities in their boggy habitat. There are 4 moults in total.
The pupa hangs head down, attached by the cremaster to the foodplant or other vegetation. This stage lasts around 3 weeks.
Small HeathDescription to be completed.
No videos are currently available for this species.
Click here to see the distribution of this species overlaid with specific site information. Alternatively, select one of the sites listed below.
There has been a moderate decline of this species over the long term and it is therefore a priority species for conservation efforts. The primary cause of this decline has been the drainage of its habitat for industry or agriculture, rendering such sites unsuitable for this species.
From The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) (2007 review).
The following links provide additional information on this butterfly.
The species description provided here has been derived from the author's own observations and the information contained in the following works:
Site brought to you by Webified |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![Large Heath [Nick Sampford]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/3ec54f1dae939f6d1dc5601108ba5599.jpg "Large Heath [Nick Sampford]")
![Large Heath - imago - Kirkconnell Flow, Dumfries-shire - Unknown date [Adrian Riley]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/8432b883187ffe405fc1024327ba3820.jpg "Large Heath - imago - Kirkconnell Flow, Dumfries-shire - Unknown date [Adrian Riley]")
![Large Heath - imago - Peatlands Country Park, Northern Ireland - 14-Jun-06 [Graham Smith]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/fbec4da9e6710cef68d729905abe0bb8.jpg "Large Heath - imago - Peatlands Country Park, Northern Ireland - 14-Jun-06 [Graham Smith]")
![Large Heath - imago - Creag Meagaidh, Inverness - Unknown date [Adrian Riley]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/edf75e8fa0d3319b469e7a5999f35302.jpg "Large Heath - imago - Creag Meagaidh, Inverness - Unknown date [Adrian Riley]")
![Large Heath - ovum - Unknown Location - Unknown Date (2) [REARED] [Reg Fry]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/aaca490d22f0cc1d7d9f8ba56444bdff.jpg "Large Heath - ovum - Unknown Location - Unknown Date (2) [REARED] [Reg Fry]")
![Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 17-Apr-05 (3) [REARED]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/bb2abdf77a1559029423ba751cfa3b18.jpg "Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 17-Apr-05 (3) [REARED]")
![Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 17-Apr-05 (4) [REARED]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/7f8a1d4b1e5246c8ce47836f2423c427.jpg "Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 17-Apr-05 (4) [REARED]")
![Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 28-May-05 (2) [REARED]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/bf51c78d641b57ceb1d4e42cbe1126b4.jpg "Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 28-May-05 (2) [REARED]")
![Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 28-May-05 [REARED]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/ab26c221f955df1ad9f0640aca84f946.jpg "Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 28-May-05 [REARED]")
![Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 07-Sep-12 (1) [REARED]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/dd928a763ec78f1233cb139e26870691.jpg "Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 07-Sep-12 (1) [REARED]")
![Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 22-Aug-12 (55) [REARED]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/ff208f4bfe31c29bef2b99729471113b.jpg "Large Heath - larva - Thatcham - 22-Aug-12 (55) [REARED]")
![Large Heath - pupa - Lincs - Jun-00 [REARED] [Graham Smith]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/ac55a4342361254824880f66e0f33a70.jpg "Large Heath - pupa - Lincs - Jun-00 [REARED] [Graham Smith]")
