GATEKEEPER Pyronia tithonus
The spectacular eastward spread of this species is not as well demonstrated by the maps as I might have expected. The increase is mainly in the east of VC58 (Cheshire) and VC59 (South Lancashire); there is also evidence of range infilling in the north of VC59 and much of VC60 (West Lancashire). The species favours rough grassland, even very small patches in field margins or in towns and cities, or scrub, often with abundant brambles. When it co-occurs with M. jurtina, it usually outnumbers that species. The bright orange Satyrines seem more associated with warmer, drier localities than the darker brown species.
THE THREE PERIODS COMPARED
PERIOD 1 (1940-1994) WITH RECORDING COVERAGE, ALTITUDE AND URBAN COVER
PERIOD 2 (1995-2000) WITH RECORDING COVERAGE, ALTITUDE AND URBAN COVER
PERIOD 3 (2001-2007) WITH RECORDING COVERAGE, ALTITUDE AND URBAN COVER
