Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Common Name: Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Latin Name: Boloria selene

Family: Nymphalidae

The small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly is found in damp grassland, moorland and woodland clearings. Here the key food plants for this butterfly, marsh violet and dog violet are found. It is a single brooded species with the eggs laid close to the main food plants. The caterpillars overwinter in tussock vegetation and the adults emerge from the second week of June. The main flight period lasts until mid-July although small numbers may be seen on the wing as late as the beginning of August. It is believed that the lifespan of the adults is approximately two weeks.

This species is a widespread species in Scotland and Wales but there have been large scale declines across much of the English range. Consequently, it is the subject of a Local Species Action Plan and in the national Species and Habitats Review 2007, it was added to the UK list of priority species for biodiversity action. In Yorkshire, the small pearl-bordered fritillary is restricted to three main areas which are the North York Moors, the Craven Lowlands and Yorkshire Dales National Park. Survey work carried out in 2002 located small pearl-bordered fritillary colonies at four sites in the Yorkshire area and three colonies in the Cumbrian part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Links:

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Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly Species Action Plan (opens in new window)

Websites:

Butterfly Conservation (opens in new window)