This butterfly is fast and vigorous in flight. Its upperside is an orange-brown with streaks and black spot markings and a pale chequered fringe. The underwings have the characteristic cresent of chesnut coloured spots and bright white spots on more of a buff ground colour. The male is smaller than the female.
The High Brown Fritillary was once widespread in England and Wales but since the 1950s has undergone a dramatic decline. It is now reduced to around 50 sites where conservationists are working to save it from extinction.
Two main habitats are used: bracken-dominated habitats or grass/bracken mosaics, and limestone rock outcrops, usually where scrub or woodland has recently been cleared or coppiced. Formerly the butterfly occurred in woodland clearings, probably where bracken was also present.
A rapidly declining species within the Uk. It has become extinct over 94% of its range, with approx 51 colonies remaining, all within 50 years. There are four main factors for decline,The Reduction of coppicing ,Agricultural improvements, Lack of grazing for bracken control, and climate change. It is a Priority of High concern, WCA 1981 Sch 5, also a Red Data Book listed, vunerable.
