Marsh Fritillary Butterflies

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Scientific name:  Euphydryas aurinia

Size:  Wingspan approximately 45mm

Distribution:  Found in N. Ireland, the west of Scotland, many parts of west Wales and south west England

Months seen:  May to July

Food:  Nectar.  The caterpillars feed on Devil's bit scabious and plantain.

Habitat:  Damp meadows and woodlands - also sometimes on chalk and limestone downland slopes

Special features:  Marsh Fritillaries have a patchwork of orange, yellow and black markings on the upper surfaces of their wings, with paler markings on the undersides.

The caterpillars are black with short black spiny hairs. They feed inside a protective web as a family group until they are fully grown.  After they leave the web they can sometimes be seen feeding on their own.

Marsh Fritillaries are slow flyers and breed in the same areas each year.  Habitat loss has caused many colonies to die out.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Butterfly Section
• UK Safari Caterpillar Section
• Identify other wildlife
• What's Out Now?