The Wall Butterfly, Lasiommata megera

There are two broods, flying mid May - mid July and early August - early September. From South Essex southwards there is also a third brood.

The larval food plants are various common grasses including Cock's Foot and Yorkshire Fog.

This was a common species on farm land in Essex. I saw it regularly alongside one particular hedge in Great Bardfield in the 1960s. In the current retraction of its range it is still seen near the coast in East Anglia, and at a few inland sites such as along the banks of the Ouse Washes in Cambridgeshire. Here the river bank edges have small portions broken away by grazing cattle, leaving a broken edge as is favoured by the female Wall for egg laying.

Personal sightings:

1960. Great Bardfield. I caught 7 specimens between August 2nd and 15th.

31 July 2011. Ouse Washes. Engine Bank, Mepal. Late morning to mid day. Bright intervals, fairly windy. 1 Wall (female).

2 Aug 2011. Ouse Washes. RSPB Area, Welches Dam. Mid to late afternoon. Bright intervals, hot, humid, no wind. 1 Wall (male by the pumping station).

24 May 2012. West Canvey Nature reserve 2 Wall Butterflies.

12 August 2012. Ouse Washes. Engine Bank, Mepal. About mid day. Slightly overcast, fairly windy. 1 Wall (female).

3 Sept 2012. Canvey Island. Hole Haven Creek sea wall. Warm and bright. 1 Wall butterfly briefly basking between short flights up to 11.45am., then landing and resting with wings closed and in line with the sun as it became warmer.