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The Marsh Fritillary has the most colourful uppersides of all of our fritillaries, being a highly-variable chequered pattern of orange, brown and yellow markings. The bright colours fade after a few days and leaves the butterfly with a shiny appearance - early Lepidopterists naming this butterfly the "Greasy Fritillary" as a result. This butterfly is primarily a wetland species as its modern name suggests. Colonies of this butterfly are known to fluctuate wildly in numbers. It may be present in some numbers one year, for the population to crash the following year before recovering as unexpectedly. This species does not do well in adverse weather conditions and also suffers greatly from larval parasitism by an Apanteles species of wasp. Unfortunately, this charming butterfly is one of our most threatened species and has suffered severe declines in recent decades. The butterfly is found primarily in south-west England with a small population in north-west England, the islands of south-western Scotland and the adjacent mainland, and north-west and south-west Wales. It is also locally widespread in Ireland. It is not found in the Isle of Man or Channel Islands. This butterfly forms discrete colonies and even the slightest barrier will prevent dispersal - such as a hedge or a river. Colonies are typically part of a meta population with several colonies located close to one another. The variability of this butterfly has historically given rise to several named subspecies and forms, although only the form hibernica (in addition to the nominate subspecies) is recognised here. These additional subspecies and forms are based primarily on the contrast and melanism exhibited.
Subspecies: Euphydryas aurinia aurinia The nominate subspecies was first defined in Rottemburg (1775) as shown here (type locality: Paris, France). The British population is represented by this subspecies.
Form: Euphydryas aurinia aurinia f. hibernica This form was first defined in Birchall (1873) as shown here (type locality: Central Ireland). This form is found throughout the Irish population and Kloet (1972) elevates this form to subspecific status. It differs from the nominate form in having a greater contrast between the orange ground colour and cream markings.
Adults emerge in the middle of May, reaching a peak in early June. Adults in northern Scotland emerge slightly later. There is one generation each year. Subspecies: Euphydryas aurinia aurinia The chart(s) above have been correlated with the phenology plot below, taken from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. The blue line gives average counts over the full data set from 1976 to date, and the red line gives the average for the last year. 
The butterfly uses several different types of habitat, including chalk hillsides, heathland, moorland and damp meadows. A factor common to all habitats is that they are in full sun, their higher temperature aiding larval development.
The primary larval foodplant is Devil's-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis). Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis) and Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria) are also used.
Adults feed primarily on Betony (Stachys officinalis), Bugle (Ajuga reptans), Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.), Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis), Dandelion (Taraxacum agg.), Hawkweeds (Hieracium/Hypochoeris), Knapweeds (Centaurea spp.), Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi), Thistles (Cirsium spp. and Carduus spp.) and Tormentil (Potentilla erecta).
As for most butterfly species, the males emerge a few days before the females and set up small territories centred on a particular plant or flower. They will dart up to investigate any passing butterfly flying nearby. They will also patrol suitable areas, in the hope of finding a newly-emerged female. Once a female is found, the male flutters around her for a short while before mating takes place. Before separating, the male seals the genital opening in the female with a substance that prevents another male from mating with her - essentially providing a "chastity belt". Both adults are avid nectar feeders and will feed from a variety of flowers, favourites including Buttercups and Thistles. The female will search out large foodplants when egg-laying, typically choosing one of the larger leaves on which to lay. She is quite conspicuous as she makes her slow flight looking for suitable plants on which to lay, no doubt weighed down by her load of eggs. Neither sex wanders far from where it emerged, although those emerging later in the flight season are often seen some distance from the main breeding grounds; this dispersal may be a mechanism by which this species colonises new sites. Subspecies: Euphydryas aurinia aurinia
Form: Euphydryas aurinia aurinia f. hibernica
Description to be completed. Unclassified Aberrations
Eggs are laid in large batches on the underside of a leaf of the foodplant and, although the average batch contains around 300 eggs, some batches have been known to contain an incredible 600 eggs. Not surprisingly, the whole process can take several hours. Having laid their initial batch of eggs, additional eggs develop inside the female and these are subsequently laid in smaller batches. Eggs are laid in neat formations, and typically in 3 or 4 neat layers. Eggs are a pale yellow when first laid, but turn dark grey just before hatching. This stage lasts between 3 and 4 weeks.
On emerging from their eggs the larvae spin a silk web, by binding together leaves of the foodplant, in which they live and feed. Larvae build new webs as they grow and even move to a new plant if necessary. In later instars, the webs can be quite conspicuous on the foodplant. Larvae will also bask on the outside of the tent absorbing the sun's rays, where their increased temperature aids digestion. After the third moult the larvae build a dense nest of silk low down in vegetation in which they hibernate. Larvae will emerge from their nest with the onset of spring and can be seen basking in warm sun as early as February. Larvae eventually split into smaller groups, continuing to build silk webs where they bask together to keep their body temperature relatively high, even on cool days. More-mature larvae tend to feed alone and are often found wandering across open ground looking for their next meal or, eventually, a pupation site. If there is a shortage of foodplant, the larva is known to feed on alternative food sources, such as Honeysuckle growing in hedgerows. There are 5 moults in total.
The pupa is formed head down, attached to a twig or plant stem by the cremaster. The pupa is essentially white, with a beautiful mix of black, brown and orange markings. This stage lasts between 2 and 4 weeks, depending on temperature.
No similar species found.
Click here to see the distribution of this species overlaid with specific site information. Alternatively, select one of the sites listed below.
The Marsh Fritillary is declining throughout Europe to the point that the British Isles is considered one of the few strongholds for this species. Even so, this butterfly has also suffered severe declines in the British Isles, especially in eastern England and eastern Scotland and this species is therefore a priority species for conservation efforts. Although widespread in south-west England and Wales, this butterfly is declining by over 10% each decade. The declining fortunes of this species are believed to be the result of inappropriate habitat management, coupled with the need for sufficient habitat for the butterfly to form meta populations, where local extinctions can be reversed by recolonisation from neighbouring colonies.
From The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) (2007 review).
The following links provide additional information on this butterfly.
The species description provided here has been derived from the author's own observations and the information contained in the following works:
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![Marsh Fritillary - imago - Montiaghs Moss - 28-May-07 [Allan Sumner]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/66c59e920f79f696c254f77bef4b2cae.jpg "Marsh Fritillary - imago - Montiaghs Moss - 28-May-07 [Allan Sumner]")
![Marsh Fritillary imago (f. hibernica ab. artemis?) [Samuel Millar]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/84c3f9679c48ff2c76301e2109774dd8.jpg "Marsh Fritillary imago (f. hibernica ab. artemis?) [Samuel Millar]")
![Marsh Fritillary - ovum - Quoditch Moor - Jun-04 [Richard Douglas-Green]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/f93c1ac7f6e0bd911c8aa90621a29636.jpg "Marsh Fritillary - ovum - Quoditch Moor - Jun-04 [Richard Douglas-Green]")
![Marsh Fritillary - larva - Thatcham - 24-Apr-05 (2) [REARED]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/a0836fd28e5f5294afaf3700aa56e3f3.jpg "Marsh Fritillary - larva - Thatcham - 24-Apr-05 (2) [REARED]")
![Marsh Fritillary - larva - Thatcham - 27-Apr-04 [REARED]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/9e7b02e0ee8969dc006e255da78b4985.jpg "Marsh Fritillary - larva - Thatcham - 27-Apr-04 [REARED]")
![Marsh Fritillary - larva - Hampshire site - 23-Jun-07 [Gary Richardson]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/d384645f75af3e5e5dee955ca8b50c4d.jpg "Marsh Fritillary - larva - Hampshire site - 23-Jun-07 [Gary Richardson]")
![Marsh Fritillary - larva - Quoditch Moor - 28-Mar-04 [Richard Douglas-Green]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/213eefb816bd451f3b21e35880de03fa.jpg "Marsh Fritillary - larva - Quoditch Moor - 28-Mar-04 [Richard Douglas-Green]")
![Marsh Fritillary - larva - Quoditch Moor - Sep-99 [Richard Douglas-Green]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/0f9091fac440ff7aaf3fee0595abe0a4.jpg "Marsh Fritillary - larva - Quoditch Moor - Sep-99 [Richard Douglas-Green]")
![Marsh Fritillary - pupa - Thatcham - 14-May-04 (2) [REARED]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/cfff9df087147854f1877283a965acc9.jpg "Marsh Fritillary - pupa - Thatcham - 14-May-04 (2) [REARED]")
![Marsh Fritillary - pupa - Thatcham - 31-May-04 [REARED]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/137e1b2e08ddc27f579df9feac987c61.jpg "Marsh Fritillary - pupa - Thatcham - 31-May-04 [REARED]")
