Gatekeeper

The Gatekeeper, Pyronia tithonus

The Gatekeeper is one of the commoner species on the uncut paddock next to Roseland House, Great Yeldham.

This species has just one brood per year, with the adults in flight in July and August. In July it mostly takes nectar from Thistles, then after the first week in August it is found in the patch of Water Mint as the flowers open. It is also one of the first butterflies to appear as a dull day brightens up, basking on exposed Bellbine and other plants to warm up. It overwinters as larvae which feed in the autumn and the following spring on various fine grasses.

In 2011, after a hot, dry spring Gatekeeper colours seemed more intense.

MOST SEEN ON ANY ONE DAY - Gatekeeper sightings at Roseland House, garden and paddock (from daily counts).
	March	April	May	June	July	August	Sept	Oct	Notes
2011	0	0	0	0	10	10	1	0	July - early Aug v. wet.
2012	0	0	0	0	11	17	0	0	April - mid July v. wet.
2013	0	0							Winter wet, March and early April, cold.

AVERAGE SEEN PER COUNTING DAY - Gatekeeper sightings at Roseland House, garden and paddock (from daily counts).
	March	April	May	June	July	August	Sept	Oct	Notes
2011	0	0	0	0	2.6	3.2	0.04	0	Seen from 12 July to 2 Sept
2012	0	0	0	0	1.5	3.8	0	0	Seen from 22 July to 31 August
2013	0	0