Invertebrates
Small Heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Among the short grass of a sunlit hillside, a small heath perches with its wings closed, a tiny buff-orange butterfly that is easy to miss until it flits up and settles again.
Overview
The small heath, Coenonympha pamphilus, is a Least Concern butterfly of open grassland across Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Its small size, closed-wing resting pose, and wide distribution make it one of the most familiar butterflies of grassy places.
A butterfly that hides its wings
By resting with its wings closed, the small heath shows only its pale underside, which blends with dry grass and helps it avoid being seen.
Status
Least Concern overall, though decreasing in parts of Britain.
Small Heath: common questions
Why does the small heath keep its wings closed?
It almost always rests with its wings shut, showing the pale, camouflaged underside rather than the brighter upper side.
What does the small heath caterpillar eat?
It feeds on fine grasses such as fescues and meadow-grasses.
Is the small heath declining?
It remains widespread, but it has declined in parts of Britain as rough grassland has been lost.
Where is the small heath found?
It lives in open grassland across Europe, western Asia, and North Africa.