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| UK Status |
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| Resident |
A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations. |
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| Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Migrant in the UK. It may be able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Migrants are normally reported in the UK every year. |
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| Rare Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Rare Migrant in the UK. It may able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Rare Migrants may not be seen for many years. |
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| Extinct |
A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss. |
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| Introduction |
A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction. |
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Description
The Gatekeeper or Hedge Brown as many people prefer to call it is most often found as these names suggest in gateways and hedgerows. It is often seen in association with Meadow Brown and Ringlet. Of these three butterflies, the Gatekeeper is probably the most attractive with its bright orange/brown wings fringed with a wide earthy/grey brown and distinctive black and white eyespot.
The colour and patterning of the wings can be very variable and there are several named aberrations. They are particularly fond of feeding on Bramble and Ragwort.
Habitat
The Gatekeeper occurs anywhere where tall grasses grow close to hedges trees or scrub, especially along hedgerows and woodland rides where there is a plentiful nectar source. It tends to avoid open grassland with short vegetation and areas where Bramble does not occur.
Larval Food Plants
Various grasses are used with a preference for fine grasses such as bents (Agrostis spp.) fescues (Festuca spp.), and meadow-grasses (Poa spp.). Common Couch (Elytrigia repens) is also used. The full range of other species used is not known.
British Subspecies
The following sub-species of the Gatekeeper occur in the UK.
 Gatekeeper - Pyronia tithonus britanniae -
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| Stock Photography Library |
| We have 19 photographs of the Gatekeeper in the British Butterflies photo library |
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BB1774 - Gatekeeper
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BB1773 - Gatekeeper
DSC_6036.JPG
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BB1761 - Gatekeeper
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BB1760 - Gatekeeper
DSC_5710.JPG
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BB796 - Gatekeeper
DSC_4826.JPG
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BB795 - Gatekeeper
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BB732 - Gatekeeper
DSC_5375.JPG
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BB731 - Gatekeeper
DSC_5372.JPG
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| Distribution |
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| It is widespread in southern Britain and its range has extended northwards in recent years. Its range is far more localized in southern Ireland. |
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| Where to see the Gatekeeper |
| It is widespread in southern Britain and its range has extended northwards in recent years. Its range is far more localized in southern Ireland. |
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| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Gatekeeper is a resident species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  down by -5% |
(1976-2004) down by -12% |
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1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M.
(2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
| UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Status |
| UK BAP status2 |
not listed (link) |
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| 2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk. |
| IUCN Category Status |
| IUCN category3 |
 least concern4 |
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3 Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4 More information about IUCN categories available here. |
| Find Out More Online* |
| More information about the Gatekeeper can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
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Aberrations and Forms |
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| We currently know of 14 named aberrant forms of the Gatekeeper. More information about aberrants can be found here. |
 ab. addenda - Leeds (1950) |
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| ab. albinotica - Goodson (1960) |
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| ab. antipallidula - Leeds (1950) |
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| ab. depupillata - Goodson (1960) |
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| ab. excessa - Tutt (1896) |
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| ab. mincki - Seebold (1892) |
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| ab. multiocellata - Oberthür (1909) |
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| ab. obscurior - Schultz (1928) |
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| ab. pallidemarginata - Oberthür (1909) |
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| ab. postlanceolata - Leeds (1950) |
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| ab. postquadriexcessa - Leeds (1950) |
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| ab. semi-obscura - Hosp (1916) |
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| ab. subalbida - Verity (1904) |
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| ab. unipuncta - Tutt (1910) |
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| References |
| The information on this web site comes from a variety of freely available resources including books, academic reports and web sites alongside my own personal observations of butterflies. The species descriptions are currently in the process of being edited (spring 2009) to include new data, recent personal observations and referencing following a major update to the site.
A complete list of references mentioned in the text on this web site is available here. |
| * External Links Disclaimer |
| This web site includes links to information provided by external web sites which are not in any way under the control of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk. We cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the content of external web pages. |
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37-48mm
