| ADULT |
Wingspan 37 - 39mm. The upperwings are mainly brown but the males have a distinct purple patch that is more obvious in sunlight. The underwings are pale grey with a slightly wavy white line that runs parallel to the wing margin. The hindwings have 2 orange eyespots located next to the small tail-like projection. |
| CHRYSALIS |
11mm. Dark brown to black and located within ant's nests and leaf litter. |
| LARVA |
16mm. Small, segmented and of a reddish-brown colour. Particularly difficult to find. Feeds on expanding buds after hatching during April. Nocturnal feeder. |
| EGG |
White and bun shaped becoming discoloured. Located at base of oak buds. |
| BEHAVIOUR |
Lives in self contained colonies and usually seen spiralling above oak trees. They will come lower to bask and occasionally feed on flowering plants. |
| HABITAT |
Oak woodlands or hedgrows with oak. |
| FLIGHT PERIOD |
June - August. |
