FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The gatekeeper butterfly (pyronia tithonus) is most ordinarily found in southern and eastern Britain and waterfront spaces of south and south-east Ireland. Gatekeeper butterfly is found in the Channel Islands, however not in Scotland nor the Isle of Man. Given its inclination for hotter climates, the limitation of habitat range can be attributed to the environment. The population of gatekeeper butterfly species differs in size as per the accessible territory and can go from two or three dozen to a few thousand butterflies. Gatekeeper butterfly can be seen flying with its colorful wings in the summer on woodlands and grasslands.
Here are some interesting facts related to the gatekeeper for your perusal. After checking these gatekeeper butterfly facts, do check out our other articles on morpho butterfly and purple emperor butterfly.
The gatekeeper is a species of butterfly and is an individual from the subfamily Satyrinae in the family Nymphalidae. You can identify a gatekeeper butterfly through black and white eyespot on both the forewings.
A gatekeeper belongs to the Insecta class of animals of the family Nymphalidae.
There is no exact count available regarding the total number of gatekeeper butterflies in the world. But as their conservation status has been listed as Not Extinct, their population can be assumed to be stable across the range of habitat.
Gatekeeper butterflies inhabit forests and woodlands with thick vegetation and grass. This species can be primarily found across England and Wales.
The gatekeeper butterfly habitat is present in forest areas with tall grass. Their habitat is present also in regions along long hedgerows and in woodland rides.
Gatekeeper butterflies can be found living with other members of their species along with their habitat range. The groups of gatekeeper butterflies are known as a kaleidoscope, a swarm, or a flutter.
The gatekeeper butterfly's life span range is around two to three weeks and sometimes they can live for around four weeks, as well.
Gatekeeper butterflies are born every year, with grown-ups coming up in July and dying towards the beginning of August. Males set up their breeding territory and start searching for a female. After the pair has been formed, the mating process takes about 60 minutes, during which gatekeeper butterflies stay fixed with their wings shut. Afterward, the female lays around 100-200 eggs.
The population of gatekeeper butterflies is at a present stable across their habitat in the UK. The population status of the gatekeeper butterfly has been listed as Not Extinct yet, indicating that their numbers are stable across the habitat.
The gatekeeper butterfly has an orange body with two enormous black and white-colored spots on its wings. The eyespots on the front wings undoubtedly help reduce attacks by birds, as a result, the gatekeeper is regularly seen resting with its wings open. The number of spots on the underside of the rear wings varies across individuals.
Beautiful orange-colored gatekeepers are adorable when they are spotted flying or when they are seen sucking nectar from flowers.
Grown-up gatekeeper butterflies communicate with each other generally through body movements. Male gatekeeper butterflies produce chemicals called pheromones to attract the female gatekeeper butterflies during the breeding season.
Gatekeeper butterfly wingspan is around 1.57 in (4 cm).
Gatekeepers can fly at a speed of up to 10 mph (16 kph). However, a skipper butterfly can fly as quickly as 20 mph (30 kph).
Female gatekeeper butterflies are heavier than male gatekeepers. The normal weight of a male gatekeeper butterfly is 1.7 oz (48 g), and the normal weight of the female gatekeeper butterfly is 1.76 oz (50 g).
Males and females in gatekeeper butterflies are known as male gatekeeper butterflies and female gatekeeper butterflies.
There are four stages for the growth stage of a butterfly and the baby stage of the gatekeeper butterfly is called the larvae (caterpillar).
Both male and female gatekeeper butterflies feed on nectar. They likewise benefit from whatever nectar sources are accessible, bramble and ragwort being specific top choices. Grown-ups feed basically on briers (Rubus spp.), common fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica), and ragworts (Jacobaea spp.). But you would be surprised to know about the most unusual sources of mud puddling for gatekeeper butterflies, blood and tears of humans.
No, gatekeeper butterflies are not dangerous. Gatekeeper butterflies are harmless and are in no way a threat to humans or any other insects in any way.
Yes, gatekeeper butterflies make incredible pets both for youngsters and for grown-ups. Gatekeeper butterflies are additionally tremendous pets as long as their usual requirements with respect to flying space and food are met.
The color of the wings of gatekeeper butterflies is variable and around twelve variations (a variety in wing example to the typical structure) have been identified.
Variations in the appearance of gatekeeper butterflies can take place for various reasons such as habitat and diet.
As per its English name, the gatekeeper is named so for its rigorous patrol of hedges and woodland rides. The gatekeeper is otherwise also known as the hedge brown.
Yes, gatekeeper butterfly caterpillars sleep in September when they are still tiny in size. They become active again from March and accomplish full development by late May or early June – when they pupate to become grown-ups.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these fairyfly facts and buck moth facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable gatekeeper coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.