Distribution: Throughout most of the UK, but more common the further south you travel. Mainly a butterfly of woodland: can be coniferous, but more likely to be mature deciduous woodland, especially oaks.

Flight period: Late June to mid-September, one brood.

Behaviour: Feeds at flowers, especially thistles, bramble and other composite flowers. The male carries out a complicated mating display during which the antennae of the female come into contact with the scent-scales on his forewings; this special scent induces the female to mate; eggs are laid singly on tree tree trunks close to the caterpillar's food plants.

Caterpillar: Black-brown with two orange-yellow lines on back, with long, reddish-brown spines. Feeds on Dog Violet, Hairy Violet and other violet species; usually feeds at night and conceals itself by day, often at some distance from the foodplant; hanging chrysalis usually amongst the ground vegetation.

Hibernation: As a tiny caterpillar, usually in the crevices of tree bark.