| Law: | Protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. |
| UK BAP status: | Priority Species
|
| Local status: | Local BAP Species - A Species Action Plan exists for this species in Bedfordshire.
Local and uncommon. Generally exists in small colonies, but one large colony is known to exist.
Occasional sightings away from the chalk require investigation - their reason in unexplained. (Some, but not all, could be Chimney Sweeper moths which fly at the same time) |
| Size: | Small. (Britain's smallest butterfly) |
| Larval foodplant: | The flowers of kidney vetch. |
| No. of broods: | Primarily one. A partial second brood may occur. |
| Flight time(s): | Mid-May to late June. A partial second brood may occur in August. |
| Winter: | Fully grown larva hibernates then pupates in spring without further feeding. |
| Habits: | Males perch on low vegetation. Females tend to rest near the Kidney Vetch. |
| Habitats: | Only found on disturbed chalk where its sole foodplant grows. |
