Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Scientific Name:
Boloria euphrosyne
Wingspan (mm):
Male: 38 - 46mm, Female: 43 - 47mm Description
The key to distinguishing the pearl bordred fritillary is the combination of seven silvery white pearl like spots along the margin of the underside of the hindwing, with a single central white spot on the hindwing and one near the wing base.
Distribution
It was once widespread throughought Europe but the range has been declining in England and Wales.
Habitat
Three main habitats are used: woodland clearings, usually in recently coppiced or clear-felled woodland; well-drained habitats with mosaics of grass, dense bracken, and light scrub; and open deciduous wood-pasture in Scotland, typically on south-facing edges of birch or oak woodland where there are patches of dense bracken and grazing by deer and/or sheep. In all habitats it requires abundant foodplants growing in short, sparse vegetation, where there is abundant leaf litter
Diet
The most widely used foodplant is Common Dog-violet although it can use other violets such as Heath Dog-violet and in the north, Marsh Violet.
Status
UK BAP status: Priority Species Butterfly Conservation priority: high European threat status: not threatened Protected in Great Britain for sale only
Did You Know?
The low flying pearl bordered fritillary is fond of alighting on the flower spikes of bugle (Ajuga reptans). With some care individuals can be seen at close range resting or feeding on these flowers.