Small heath (butterfly)

Small heath
Underside
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Nymphalidae
Genus:	Coenonympha
Species:	C. pamphilus
Binomial name
Coenonympha pamphilus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms[2]
Coenonympha major Pionneau, 1929 Coenonympha tardenota Caruel, 1944 Coenonympha antelatecana Verity, 1953 Coenonympha nigromarginata Lempke, 1931 Coenonympha transiens Caruel, 1944 Coenonympha tunioti Caruel, 1944 Papilio lyllus Esper, 1806 Coenonympha bipunctata Gussich, 1917 Coenonympha postgalvagnii Verity, 1953 Coenonympha antipunctata Lempke, 1957 Coenonympha virginalis Caruel, 1944 Coenonympha bicolor Peerdeman, 1962 Coenonympha albata Goodson, 1955 Coenonympha rhoumensis Harrison, 1948 Coenonympha impupillata Lempke, 1933 Coenonympha lylliformis Verity, 1953 Coenonympha venata Lempke, 1957

The small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) is a butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, classified within the subfamily Satyrinae (commonly known as "the browns"). It is the smallest butterfly in this subfamily. The small heath is diurnal and flies with a noticeable fluttering flight pattern near the ground. It rests with closed wings when not in flight.^[3][4][5] It is widespread in colonies throughout the grasslands of Eurasia and north-western Africa, preferring drier habitats than other Coenonympha, such as salt marshes, alpine meadows, wetlands, and grasslands near water (i.e. streams).^[6][7][8] However, habitat loss caused by human activities has led to a decline in populations in some locations.^[4]

The larval host plants are grasses, found in various habitats, while adult butterflies feed on nectar from flowers.^[9][10] The males of this species are territorial, which plays a large role in obtaining a female mate. To establish dominance, they partake in lekking, a mating display in which males aggregate in a competitive display to attract passing females.^[11]