Gatekeeper
Pyronia tithonus
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Gatekeeper is aptly named — males guard sunlit gaps in hedgerows and scrub edges, perching on leaves with wings open to intercept passing females. Smaller and more vividly orange than the Meadow Brown, with two white pupils in the forewing eye spot (Meadow Brown has one). In July, sunny Bramble patches at Ainsdale can hold several males perching at the same warm spot, chasing each other off and returning.
At a Glance
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae |
| Habitat | Dune scrub edge · Bramble patch · Hedgerow · Woodland ride |
| Diet | Adults: Bramble, Ragwort, Marjoram. Larvae: fine grasses at scrub edges. |
| UK population | Widespread in southern England; expanding northward slowly |
| Sefton Coast | Present in dune scrub edges and hedgerows throughout the Sefton Coast |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Bramble and hedgerow edges at Ainsdale and Formby. Prefers dune scrub edges with Bramble flowers.
Identification
Smaller than Meadow Brown. Vivid orange-brown with dark border. Forewing eye spot has two white pupils — key feature. Underside: orange and grey-brown with small eye spots. Prefers scrub and hedgerow edges.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Check sunny Bramble patches at Ainsdale scrub edges in July and August. Males are conspicuous, perching with wings open and returning to the same spot.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Gatekeeper have two white pupils in its eye spot?
The double pupil of the Gatekeeper's forewing eye spot distinguishes it from the single-pupilled Meadow Brown — a useful field mark. The purpose of the eye spot itself is protective — the fake 'eye' can deflect a predator's strike toward the wing edge rather than the body. Species with double pupils may be mimicking animals with binocular vision more effectively.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.