Gatekeeper
Pyronia tithonus
National Status
Widespread in most of England and Wales, expanding northwards. Population trend 10 years to 2016 44%; since 1976 -41%.
West Midlands Status
Found almost everywhere, range stable. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – decreasing.
Gatekeeper was recorded in 948 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Hedgerows with brambles, woodland rides, heaths and areas with scrub.
Caterpillar Food Plant
The main foodplants are Bents (various) (Agrostis spp.), Fescues (various) (Festuca spp.) and Meadow-grasses (various) (Poa spp.). Common Couch (Elytrigia repens) is also used.
Refer to the Gardening for butterflies website by Joseph Shaffery for more details about caterpillar food plants and nectar sources.
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Early July to end August with a peak in early August.
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 17 March | Jones, Sheila | 26 September | Mervyn Davies |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Prees Heath, Lea Quarry, Baggeridge Country Park, Haugh Wood, Wyre Forest.