The Marsh Fritillary

The Marsh Fritillary is European Butterfly that is very much in decline. It is protected in many countries and is given protected status under the European Habitats Directive.

It occurs in a several different habitats One is Chalk Downland and another is wet grassland which is sometimes refered to as Rhos Pasture (Rhos pronounced with a long "o" is a Welsh word meaning "Heath").

This is a picture of some Rhos Pasture. Click on it to see a bigger version.

The Marsh Fritillary lays its eggs on the undersde of a plant called Devils' Bit Scabious. The caterpillars live in webs over the food plant spinning a stronger web in which to hibernate.

This is picture of the upper side of the Marsh Fritillary Click on to to see a bigger version

This is picture of the under side of the Marsh Fritillary. Click on to to see a bigger version.

One of the major problems in conserving this butterfly is that it is exists in groups of colonies which periodically die out to be recolonised from neighbouring sites. In this system many of the sites it needs may not actually be occupied at any given time but are vital for its long term survival.