Wall
Lasiommata megera
National Status
Rapid range contraction since 1980s. Occurs as far north as southern Scotland, main strongholds coastal. Population trend 10 years to 2016 -25%; since 1976 -87%.
West Midlands Status
Most remaining populations in the north and west. Range contracting. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – decreasing.
Wall was recorded in 51 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Warm, sunny spots with short grass and rough stony ground. Has a liking for warm microclimates. Colonial but will wander occasionally into gardens.
Caterpillar Food Plant
The main foodplants are Bents (various) (Agrostis spp.), Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum), Wavy Hair-grass (Deschampsia flexuosa) and Yorkshire-fog (Holcus lanatus).
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Flight Period
Double-brooded flying May/June and late July/September. Second generation more numerous. Third brood occasionally in southern Britain but very rare in the West Midlands.
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 1 May | Jones, Craig | 5 October | Lambourne, William |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Bury Ditches, Caer Caradoc Hill, Titterstone Clee and Lea Quarry on Wenlock Edge, all in Shropshire.