Meadow Brown
Maniola jurtina
The Meadow Brown is one of the most common and widespread butterflies in Central Europe. The upper sides of the wings are predominantly brown, with females displaying distinct orange patches on the forewings. A characteristic feature is the black eyespot with a single white pupil located near the tip of the forewing.
Details
Identification
Brown ground color, one eyespot with a white center on the forewing, underside of hindwings inconspicuous grey-brown with small black dots.
Social behavior
Mainly solitary, but often forms larger gatherings at locations with abundant food sources.
Diet
Adult butterflies feed on the nectar of various flowers (e.g., thistles, knapweeds, wild marjoram). The caterpillars feed on various grasses.
Spawning substrate
Various grasses (Poaceae) such as fescue or meadow-grass.
Overwintering
Overwinters as a young caterpillar (L1 or L2 stage) in grass tussocks on the ground.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important pollinator in open landscapes and significant prey for insectivorous birds and invertebrates.
Natural predators
Birds, orb-weaver spiders, assassin bugs, and ichneumon wasps (as parasitoids of the caterpillars).
Competitor species
Other satyrine butterflies like the Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) in cases of similar habitat use.
Ecosystem service
Pollination of wild plants.
Threats
Agricultural intensification, frequent mowing, use of insecticides, and loss of habitat margins.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Large black eye spot at the apex of the forewing, typically containing a single white pupil. Males have a prominent scent scale patch (androconia) on the upper side of the forewings.
Habitat
Open and semi-open grasslands, calcareous grasslands, meadows, forest edges, embankments, and gardens; widespread in the cultural landscape.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Agricultural intensification (frequent mowing, liquid manure fertilization), loss of margin structures, urban sprawl on open land.
Population trend
Stable to slightly declining in intensively used areas, but overall still one of the most common butterfly species in Central Europe.
Conservation measures
Maintenance of extensively managed grasslands, promotion of staggered mowing dates, protection of margin biotopes and field boundaries.