A famous group of butterflies known for their remarkable
"stained glass" patterns.
They belong to the Nymphalidae family, all of which share
the trait of exotic showiness (Purple Emperor, Red Admiral
and Comma also belong here).
Most of the fritillaries are endangered due to their specific
habitat requirements.
Marsh
Fritillary
Late evening light falls on this beautiful but scarce
butterfly. Found in isolated pockets around the UK,
from as far north as Oban, to Lands End.
Fritillary Pearl Bordered 1 (crop)
Pearl
Bordered
Fritillary
A nationally rare fritillary in the UK, and still declining.
Most easily told apart from the small PBF by its earlier
flight period (May rather than mid June), otherwise very
similar.
Fritillary Small Pearl Bordered 19
Fritillary Small Pearl Bordered 25
Fritillary Small Pearl Bordered 32
Fritillary Small Pearl Bordered 23
Small
Pearl
Bordered
Fritillary
An increasingly scarce butterfly that likes flying quickly
with occasional rests on bracken or grass close to the floor.
It is sometimes seen nectaring on thistle and bramble, but
often seems to keep going without feeding. I spent
several days at a site near my home (June 2009) trying to
photograph them, and chances for a good photo were rarely
presented. I was finally able to cajoule one onto a foxglove
for the bottom photos, a stunningly graphic plant before
the buds open, but only possible because the butterfly was
cold and reluctant to fly. They never perch on foxgloves
otherwise!
Photo: Forest of Dean, June 2009.
Fritillary High Brown 01
High
Brown
Fritillary
One of the UK's rarest butterflies occurring at only three
small locations. These were taken at a Devon site.
Fritillary Glanville 04
Glanville
Fritillary
A very rare fritillary on the British mainland but more
common at their stronghold on the Isle of Wight. Often
considered to be the most beautiful fritillary The
above were taken on Hampshire coast after a painstaking
search.
Silver Washed Fritillary 14
Silver Washed Fritillary 15 (crop)
Silver
Washed
Fritillary
Our largest and most widespread fritillary often seen at
bramble and thistle in July.
Fritillary Heath 1
Fritillary Heath 06
Fritillary Heath 03
Heath
Fritillary
A quite scarce fritillary in the UK occurring at just a
few sites in the south west of England. However, they are
very common on the continent.
These were photographed near Lydford in Devon.
Fritillary Dark Green 01
Dark
Green
Fritillary
Similar to the Silver Washed on top, but has a splodge of
dark green on its underwing as well as large white spots.
I often see them on dune slacks and heather moorland.
Photographed at Kenfig Pools, South Wales, July 2005.
Comma 04
Comma
