Head to head
Meadow Brown vs Gatekeeper
Meadow Brown
VS Gatekeeper
The meadow brown and gatekeeper are two look-alike brown butterflies that fly together in summer meadows and hedgerows, and are often confused.
| Meadow Brown | Gatekeeper | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Maniola jurtina | Pyronia tithonus |
| Colour | Brown wings with an orange patch, larger in females | Bright orange-brown wings with broad dark borders |
| Eyespot | A single black eyespot with a white centre on each forewing | A black eyespot with two tiny white dots on each forewing |
| Habitat | Grassland, meadows, and road verges | Hedgerows, field edges, and woodland rides |
| Season | On the wing through much of the summer, even in dull weather | Flies mainly in July and August, with a single brood |
| Adult flowers | Nectar from flowers such as knapweed and brambles | Nectar from bramble and ragwort flowers |
| Range | Europe, North Africa, and western Asia | Southern and western Europe, extending north into Britain |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Least Concern, and increasing in parts of northern Europe |
Meadow Brown vs Gatekeeper: common questions
How can you tell a gatekeeper from a meadow brown?
The gatekeeper is brighter orange and has two tiny white dots in its black forewing eyespot, while the meadow brown has one.
When do gatekeepers fly?
Mainly in July and August, with a single brood each year.
What do both caterpillars eat?
Both feed on fine grasses as caterpillars, so each depends on rough grassland, hedgerows, and field margins being left uncut.