Fritillaries (Family Nymphalidae)
Descriptions & images of the 6 Fritillary species resident in Hampshire
The Fritillaries, like the Vanessids, belong to the family Nymphalidae. Their basic upper-wing colour scheme of black markings on a brown or golden brown background colour (latin fritillus meaning chequerboard) provides a common theme, although the different species vary in size, underwing markings, habitat requirements and behaviour. The larger Fritillaries, of which there are two representatives in Hampshire, are both strong fliers.
Dark Green Fritillary - Argynnis aglaja
Wingspan: 57-68mm
The Dark Green Fritillary is one of our larger fritillaries and also one of the most powerful flyers. In Hampshire the major colonies are to be found on flower-rich chalk downland, but colonies also exist (in smaller numbers) on the New Forest heaths and the butterfly will occasionally be encountered in open forest glades. The females tend to be slightly paler (and larger) than the males. The larvae feed on members of the viola family such as common dog violet.
When to see:.There is only one generation per year, the butterflies typically start emerging towards the end of June on downland sites (a few days later on heathland sites) with the flight period lasting until mid August.
Where to see: Large and sometimes prolific sites for this species in Hampshire are Martin Down and Old Winchester Hill. The species is also present on Stockbridge Down (in small numbers) and Farley Mount Country Park (Pitt Down), where the photo was taken. In the
Glanville Fritillary - Melitaea cinxia
Wingspan: 37-47mm
The Glanville Fritillary is in the category of our smaller fritilliaries and is at the very limit of its northern range in UK. Its preferred habitat in UK are the crumbling undercliffs and chines on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight where it is doing well. The lack of suitable habitat on the mainland and its range limit have resulted in very few naturalised colonies on the south coast of Hampshire. Its habitat requirements are also such that no other fritillary types are likely to be encountered in the same location as the Glanville. The butterflies are active, sun loving and accomplished fliers and have a partiality for yellow composite flowers. The larvae feed on ribwort plantain
When to see: There is only one generation per year emerging in late May, the flight peroiod lasting about a month. Early June is usually a good time to look for this species.
Where to see: Until recently, Hordle Cliff near Milford-on-Sea was considered to be the only Glanville Fritillary colony in Hampshire, however numbers of Glanvilles Fritillaries there have been low in recent years. Thus, the recent news of Glanvilles colonising a flower rich meadow close to Hurst Castle, several miles east of Hordle Cliff has been received with delight amongst the butterfly community. It is hoped these two colonies will act as a springboard for the species to spread to other loacations along the coast.
Marsh Fritillary - Euphydryas aurinia
Wingspan ~30-50mm
The Marsh Fritillary is one our most attractive fritillaries, with its distinctive colouration and bold markings. Sadly it also in decline not only in
When to see: The adult butterflies typically start to emerge about the third week in May, however the flight period can be quite short at Hampshire's small colonies, and is usually over by mid June.
Where to see: The butterfly is present in small numbers at two sites in Hampshire - Bentley Wood (Eastern Clearing) and Martin Down (Bokerley Ditch). After several very poor, indeed precarious years at these sites, numbers seem to recovering. There are much stronger colonies at sites in neighbouring counties such as Hod Hill and the Cerne Abbas Giant in
Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Boloria euphrosyne
Wingspan: ~37-47mm
The Pearl-bordered Fritillary acquires its name from the outer row of 'pearly' spots on the underside wings and is the first of our fritillary species to emerge - sometimes as early as late April in warm years. There is concern nationally over its
When to see: The butterflies normally emerge in early May, the flight period lasting until mid June.
Where to see: Good sites (and now almost the only ones in the county) are Bentley Wood (Eastern clearing and also along open rides) and the large woodland complex in the
Silver-washed Fritillary - Argynnis paphia
Wingspan: 67-77mm
The Silver-Washed Fritillary is our largest fritillary and very much a woodland species, often plentiful in the
When to see: There is only one generation per year beginning in late June and continuing until late August. July is probably the best month to see this species.
Where to see: As stated earlier, the
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Boloria selene
Wingspan: ~35-42mm
The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary is similar to its larger cousin, the Pearl-bordered Fritillary (PBF), but its habitat requirements are a little less restricted, which has enabled it to maintain a wider UK distribution. In Hampshire, the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary prefers damp woodland clearings, where it can sometimes be seen in company with the Pearl-bordered Fritillary. There are several factors to distinguish between the two: the black spot at the centre of the underside hindwing (missing in the PBF), the position of the black spot along the trailing edge upperside forewing which is closer to the outer row of spots in the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Behavioural differences include the later emergence of the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary by 2-3 weeks (hence newly emerged ones are likely to be in company with faded PBF's) and finally the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary tends to fly slightly higher than the PBF (waist height versus knee height).
When to see: The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary is usually on the wing from late May, the flight period lasting until late June or early July.
Where to see: In Hampshire, the species is sadly becoming restricted to a few small scattered colonies. Like the PBF, it can be seen in Bentley Wood (Eastern clearing, far end). Other small colonies include Pamber Forest in the north, together with a couple of sites in or close to the New Forest, such as the Holmsley Inclosure and Roydon Common.