Identifying features
Medium-sized brown butterfly. The upper side is brown. Unlike most other brown butterflies, there is a clear difference between the sexes: the female is significantly larger than the male and has a large, orange patch and a large eye spot on the forewing; the male lacks this patch and the eye spot is much smaller. The underside of the forewing is brown-orange with darker edges and a larger eye spot than on the upper side. The underside of the hindwing is grey-brown with a broad, slightly lighter cross-band and often a pair of small, black spots. The outer edge of the hindwing is wavy.
Similar species
The butterfly resembles small heath, but has less hairy hind wings.
Distribution
It appears to tolerate intensive agriculture very well and is often the most abundant butterfly in the agricultural landscapes of Vestlandet. It seems to be spreading northwards along the coast of Vestland, where it is currently found as far north as Nordhordland.
Biology
The larvae live on grass. The larvae are light green, lighter on the sides.