page_title: Small heath (butterfly)
section_title: Distribution and habitat
hierarchical_section_title: Small heath (butterfly) / Distribution and habitat
caption_attribution_description: English: Breckland Heath/Grassland Ecosystem This area is a rare example of a Southern England semi-natural heath habitat, preserved because MOD training in the area limited agriculture, which would have destroyed this rare habitat type. The Breckland has a semi-continental climate (this region is one of the driest in Britain), so shares many plant species in common with mainlan Europe. Species distribution is governed by management and soil type; alternating chalk and acidic sandy soils over a short distance causes alternating zonation of grassland and heather strips.
context_page_description: The small heath is a butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, classified within the subfamily Satyrinae. 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. 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. However, habitat loss caused by human activities has led to a decline in populations in some locations.
  The larval host plants are grasses, found in various habitats, while adult butterflies feed on nectar from flowers. 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.
context_section_description: The small heath is spread throughout the Western Palearctic, particularly in Europe where it has been reported in at least 40 different countries since 2002. It is commonly found in the United Kingdom, largely in England and Wales. Populations are also found in southwest Siberia, regions of Asia, and north Africa.
  As a grasslands species, the small heath prefers open habitats with shorter grass compared to other related species. It is also found in an extensive range of environments including meadows, heaths, mountains (in the subalpine zone), and alongside railways. It has been sighted in calcareous grasslands throughout nineteen countries in Europe. For mating and oviposition, small heath butterflies prefer territories that are close to vegetation over areas that are open and clear.
  The small heath also resides in biodiverse patches of green habitats (i.e. greenways, gardens, and parks) in urban areas. These fragments create less-isolated corridors throughout cities, which help butterflies disperse throughout this habitat.
caption: A semi-natural grassland in Europe
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