Genus COENONYMPHA, Hiibner , 1823 
THE SMALL HEATH 
Coenonytnpha pamphilus (Linn., 1758). 
(Plate VII, facing page 80) 
Haunts and Distribution. The Small Heath is one of the 
most abundant and widely distributed of our native butterflies. 
It occurs almost everywhere throughout the British Islands, 
but does not appear to have been found inhabiting either 
the Orkneys or the Shetlands. Abroad its range extends over 
Europe, the greater part of Asia, and North Africa. 
It is found from the seashore to the higher mountain slopes 
up to an elevation of 2,000 feet. It frequents almost every 
part of the country, marshes, meadows, downs, moors, heaths, 
grassy waysides, fields, woodlands, and mountains are all 
equally well suited for the requirements of this little 
butterfly. 
1 he Small Heath has a slow, fluttering flight, generally flitting 
about just above the herbage. During dull, sunless weather 
and at night it rests on the flower-heads of grasses and other 
plants, especially on the withered flowers of knapweed. 
Migration. Respecting immigrant insects recorded during 
x 933 an d sent in to the Migration Committee of the South- 
Eastern Union of Scientific Societies is the following report : 
“ August 27th-3ist, Gorleston, Suffolk. A few stragglers seen 
coming in from the sea : on 27th one Vanessa atalanta going 
north fast against the wind at 2 p.m., followed by three Pieris 
brasstcae and two Coenonytnpha pamphilus. The C. pamphilus 
fluttered in and settled on the end of the pier (E. A. E.).” 
From this observation it is possible that the Small Heath 
might be classed among the occasional migrants to this 
country, but it seems much more probable that these in¬ 
dividuals were on their return flight to land after having 
flown out to sea. 
Time of Appearance. C. pamphilus is on the wing from 
May until mid-October. There are two broods ; the first 
appearing in May, June and July, the second, which is partial, 
occurs in August, September and October. 
Eggs laid in May and June produce the autumn butterflies, 
as part of the larvae feed up and pupate in about three 
months after the eggs are laid, while the remaining larvae 
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