Wall
Lasiommata megera
This record describes Lasiommata megera (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This golden brown butterfly is criss-crossed with dark lines. The male has obvious sex brands on the forewings. The Wall gets its name from the characteristic behaviour of resting with wings two-thirds open on any bare surface, including bare ground and, of course, walls! Many people will have come across this butterfly on footpaths, especially in coastal areas, where the butterfly flies up when disturbed, before setting again a few metres ahead. The first generation of adults emerge in early May, peaking at the end of May and early June, or a little later in the north of England and Scotland. They give rise to a second brood that emerges at the end of July, or mid-August further north. There are two generations each year and, on occasion, a small third generation may appear in October. This butterfly is found in relatively small colonies that are self-contained although some individuals will wander, allowing the species to quickly colonise suitable nearby sites. The larvae feed on a range of grass species. This species was once known to occur throughout England, Wales and Ireland. Today, however, it is a very different picture, with the species suffering severe declines over the last several decades and now being confined to primarily coastal regions.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Nymphalidae
- Genus
- Lasiommata
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The Wall gets its name from the characteristic behaviour of resting with wings two-thirds open on any bare surface, including bare ground and, of course, walls! Many people will have come across this butterfly on footpaths, especially in coastal areas, where the butterfly flies up when disturbed, before setting again a few metres ahead.
Seasonal Activity
The first generation of adults emerge in early May, peaking at the end of May and early June, or a little later in the north of England and Scotland. They give rise to a second brood that emerges at the end of July, or mid-August further north. There are two generations each year and, on occasion, a small third generation may appear in October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
This butterfly is found in relatively small colonies that are self-contained although some individuals will wander, allowing the species to quickly colonise suitable nearby sites. The larvae feed on a range of grass species.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species was once known to occur throughout England, Wales and Ireland. Today, however, it is a very different picture, with the species suffering severe declines over the last several decades and now being confined to primarily coastal regions.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lasiommata megera. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Wall (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Wall
What is Wall?
Wall (Lasiommata megera) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Wall found?
Habitat: The Wall gets its name from the characteristic behaviour of resting with wings two-thirds open on any bare surface, including bare ground and, of course, walls! Many people will have come across this butterfly on footpaths, especially in coastal areas, where the butterfly flies up when disturbed, before setting again a few metres ahead.
When is Wall active?
Wall: seasonal activity - The first generation of adults emerge in early May, peaking at the end of May and early June, or a little later in the north of England and Scotland. They give rise to a second brood that emerges at the end of July, or mid-August further north. There are two generations each year and, on occasion, a small third generation may appear in October..
What is the life cycle of a Wall?
This butterfly is found in relatively small colonies that are self-contained although some individuals will wander, allowing the species to quickly colonise suitable nearby sites. The larvae feed on a range of grass species.