Small heath butterfly  (Coenonympha pamphilus)

The main threat to this species seems to be loss of habitat. Although it is not thought to be under threat in the UK, this butterfly does appear to be declining in some parts of its British range.

Perhaps because the small heath is still regarded as a common UK species, few studies of its biology have been carried out. Although we have a good idea of its foodplant preferences, the full range of grasses eaten by its caterpillars is not yet known. A number of local butterfly recorders have noted a reduction in the numbers of small heaths being seen in some parts of Britain, particularly in the south of England. This may be due to loss of its preferred short grassland habitats through agricultural intensification but, as yet, this is still not fully understood.