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Until the 19th century, heath fritillary butterflies and caterpillars were very common in Epping Forest. But they are now extremely rare right the way across Britain. As caterpillars they feed on foxgloves in woodland clearings where the sun warms up the air more quickly than under the tree canopy. As a result, the clearings formed by the charcoal burners formed a perfect environment for these insects that were susceptible to the cold. Once they had turned into adults they only had to fly a short distance to the next clearing. Because of this, heath fritillary butterflies were called the 'woodman's follower'. Today the heath fritillary is extremely rare in woodland because coppicing and pollarding have declined.