LEPIDOPTERA (Butterflies & Moths) > PAPILIONOIDEA (Butterflies) > Nymphalidae and Riodinidae

There are eight resident fritillary species in Britain; all within the Nymphalidae family, but taxonomically separated into two distinct groups. The first group consists of five species, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, High Brown Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary and Silver-washed Fritillary. They are classified within the Heliconiinae, a subfamily that contains a variety of species including most fritillaries, which are placed in the Argynnini tribe. The remainder, the Marsh Fritillary, Glanville Fritillary and Heath Fritillary are in the Nymphalinae subfamily together with the 'vanessids' (and numerous other non-British species), within the Melitaeini tribe.

Most fritillaries are in decline to some degree, primarily down to habitat loss and/or changes in agricultural practices, which is why all but two have protection and conservation status. The two of 'least concern' are the Silver-washed and Dark Green, both featured here. The most endangered species is the High Brown, designated 'critical', followed by the Glanville, Heath and Pearl-bordered. The Marsh is listed 'vulnerable' and the Small Pearl-bordered is 'near threatened.

The nationally scarce and endangered Duke of Burgundy [Hamearis lucina] - a 'metalmark' species, and sole British representative of the Riodinidae family - has a very similar appearance, so will be featured here if/when I ever get to see and photograph one (more likely in Hampshire than anywhere in East Dorset).

Identification can be challenging although location and habitat are good indicators. Looking at the four species that I could find locally, the Silver-washed Fritillary [Argynnis paphia] and Pearl-bordered Fritillary [Boloria euphrosyne] are both deciduous woodland species with the latter only known to occur within certain areas of the New Forest. The Dark Green Fritillary [Speyeria aglaja] on the other hand is unlikely to be found in woodland as it's strongly associated with flower-rich unimproved grasslands such as Martin and Cashmoor Down. Interestingly, despite its name, the species that doesn't seem to be too habitat dependent is the Marsh Fritillary [Euphydryas aurinia] as it can be found on both chalk downlands as well as damp tussocky grasslands, or in scrubby edged woodland clearings.