Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary

The Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary is generally found in the west of Britain and can be found from Cornwall up through Wales, the Lakes, and quite a bit of Scotland including the central belt.  It emerges in mid May in the south but is sometimes as late as August in Scotland.  it has a wingspan of 35 - 44 mm which is only 3mm smaller than the Pearl Bordered Fritillary which is a much more uncommon butterfly which shares the same habitat.  The two species are easily confused, the difference being tiny details in the underwing markings and underwing colours.

It is sometimes known as the "SPB Frit", these pictures were taken at a variety of locations all of which were in Scotland where in some areas it is quite common at some localised sites.  Its food plant is Marsh Violet which is found in a variety of places from woodlands, moorlands, as well as costal cliffs, dunes, and in general scrub.  Despite this it is a butterfly in decline that was once widespread.  Apart from odd patches in Sussex, Yorkshire, and NE Scotland, the SPB Fit has widely disappeared from the midlands and eastern parts of Britain.  It is a strong flier, and sometimes can be hard to photograph, but eventually it will stop to sunbathe, often close to marsh violets were sometimes females are found searching for their food plant on which they lay their eggs.