This species is found in woods in the East Midlands. Our nearest sites are near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. On a good day in June 2011 a number could be seen hovering over low blackthorn shrubs in Monks Wood, near Woodwalton. They were active in the warm sunshine, making brief landings to rest or to take nectar. The pale green flowers of the Bryony vines were favoured. In 2013 in Glapthorn Cow Pastures they were taking nectar from Dewberry bushes and from wild Privet.
There is only one brood per year with the adults in flight for a short period in late May to early June. The Butterfly over-winters as an egg. Food plants are wild Prunus, usually Blackthorn.
The males have shorter tails than the females and a darker body colour.