The Wall Brown (sometimes referred to merely as the Wall) is usually seen basking with its wings open, revealing bright orange upperwings with dark borders, veins and wavy crosslines, and dusky areas near the body. The male also has a stripe of dark scent scales diagonally across the forewing. In both sexes there is a conspicuous white-pupilled black eyespot in the top corner of each forewing, and a row of four smaller eyespots around the lower edge of each hindwing.

The underside of each forewing is a paler version of the upperside, but that of the hindwing is very different . It is pearl grey with brown zigzag lines across it, and a row of six eyespots towards the outer edge, each composed of a white-pupilled black spot surrounded by rings of yellow and brown. The bottom spot often has a double pupil. With its wings closed, the Wall Brown blends beautifully with the patches of bare ground on which it usually sits. In flight, its wings are so golden as to be confused with a Comma, or even a Fritillary, but at rest the eyespots and pattern are unmistakable.

Dimensions:
Adult wingspan: 45-53mm.

National:
The Wall is a common butterfly of open grassland habitats, in particular downland. It is present throughout England and Wales.

At Durlston:
The butterfly is common on the Park, seemingly preferring sparsely vegetated sites. The species has shown large peaks in some years, namely 1989 and 1999.

Various grasses are the larval foodplant. The eggs are laid singly upon the plant or nearby. The butterfly produces two broods with the second brood overwintering as larvae. When fully grown in the following spring the larvae pupate within the grass tussocks. The adults emerge from early May onwards and remain active until September.