Small Heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
National Status
Widespread throughout the UK, range stable. Population trend 10 years to 2016 +18%: since 1976 -54%.
West Midlands Status
Widespread throughout the four counties with a preference for more upland areas, range contracting. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – decreasing.
Small Heath was recorded in 282 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Well-drained grasslands where fine-leaved grasses predominate.
Caterpillar Food Plant
The main foodplants are Bents (various) (Agrostis spp.), Fescues (various) (Festuca spp.) and Meadow-grasses (various) (Poa spp.).
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Mid-May to mid-September. Usually two broods peaking in June and August with evidence of an occasional third brood in good summers.
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 30 April | Brown, Tryphena | 3 October | Cook, Andrew |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Prees Heath, Stiperstones, Long Mynd, Baggeridge Country Park, Ewyas Harold, Pound Green, Malvern Hills, Portway Hill.