A-Z of butterflies

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Gatekeeper - Photograph by Jim AsherNBN Map - GatekeeperMap courtesy of National Biodiversity Network (NBN)View full NBN Gateway profile

Gatekeeper

Widespread and common throughout England and Wales, and along the south coast of Ireland. Orange and brown, with black eyespot on forewing tip. Eyespots have two white pupils, not one, as in the Meadow Brown. Gatekeeper is also smaller and more orange with row of tiny white dots on hind underwings.

ResidentGatekeeper

Range expanding in Britain.

As its English names suggest, the Gatekeeper (also known as the Hedge Brown) is often encountered where clumps of flowers grow in gateways and along hedgerows and field edges. It is often seen together with the Meadow Brown and Ringlet, from which it is easily distinguished when basking or nectaring with open wings.

The colour and patterning of the wings are very variable and about a dozen aberrations have been named. Favourite nectar sources include Wild Marjoram, Common Fleabane, ragworts, and Bramble.

It is widespread in southern Britain and its range has extended northwards in recent years. Its range is far more localized in southern Ireland.

Conservation status

  • UK Biodiversity Action Plan: not listed
  • Butterfly Conservation priority: low
  • European threat status: not threatened

European/world range

It occurs widely across Europe south of 53B:N, to Asia Minor and the Caucasus, and also occurs locally in Morocco. It is declining in several European countries.

Foodplants

Various grasses are used, with a preference for fine grasses such as bents (Agrostis spp.), fescues (Festuca spp.), and meadow-grasses (Poa spp.). Common Couch (Elytrigia repens) is also used. The full range of other species used is not known.

Habitat

This species is found in grassland where tall grasses grow close to hedges, trees, or scrub, particularly along hedgerows and woodland rides and also in habitats such as undercliffs, heathland, and downland where there are patches of scrub. Open grassland with short vegetation is avoided.