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| UK Status |
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| Resident |
A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations. |
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| Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Migrant in the UK. It may be able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Migrants are normally reported in the UK every year. |
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| Rare Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Rare Migrant in the UK. It may able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Rare Migrants may not be seen for many years. |
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| Extinct |
A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss. |
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| Introduction |
A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction. |
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Description
The Glanville Fritillary is named after Lady Eleanor Glanville who in the 1690's was the first person to capture British specimens in Lincolnshire. Today the species has a much more restricted range being found on the Isle of Wight and Hordle Cliff near Christchurch.
It is unlikely for anyone to confuse the Glanville Fritillary for any other species as no other butterfly of similar appearance is likely to be encountered in the same location or at the same time of year. The distinctive rich orange/brown and lattice pattern is distinctive. It is often encountered feeding on the pink flowers of Thrift or on Birds-foot Trefoil. Its flight is distinctive and fast consisting of rapid wing beats followed by a glide.
The Glanville Fritillary is a Priority Species for conservation due to the continued loss of habitat and resulting drop in population.
Habitat
Although there are records of the Glanville Fritillary being found in woodland clearings in eastern England during the 18th century this species is now confined to coastal grasslands undercliffs and deeply incised coastal river valleys (chines) where soil erosion promotes the growth of the larval food plant.
It also occurs on south facing chalk downland although colonies tend to be smaller.
Larval Food Plants
Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is the primary larval food plant although mature larvae may also use Buck's-horn Plantain (Plantago coronopus). |
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| Stock Photography Library |
| We have 19 photographs of the Glanville Fritillary in the British Butterflies photo library |
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BB978 - Glanville Fritillary
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BB975 - Glanville Fritillary
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BB974 - Glanville Fritillary
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BB973 - Glanville Fritillary
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BB972 - Glanville Fritillary
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BB970 - Glanville Fritillary
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BB340 - Glanville Fritillary
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BB339 - Glanville Fritillary
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| Distribution |
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The Glanville Fritillary is present in a small part of southern England restricted to coastal landslips on the south-east of the Isle of Wight. It also occurs on the Channel Islands and small coastal sites in Hampshire (Hordle Cliff and Hurst Castle).
A very small site at Sand Point in Somerset is the result of unlicenced introductions and probably died out in 2000 but appears to have been re-stocked again since. Certainly in 2008 several Glanville Fritillary have been reported. Another site at Berry Head, nr. Brixham, South Devon is almost certainly the result of unlicenced introductions.
The populations and distribution of the Glanville Fritillary has changed little in recent decades although there has been some losses because of habitat change due to coastal protection measures. There are only a few core breeding areas so the Glanville Fritillary remains a vulnerable species.
A visit the Isle of Wight during the flight season provides the best chance of seeing this species. Visit Bonchurch Down, Horseshoe Bay, Wheelers Bay, Compton Bay and Cliffs where it can be found with relative ease. |
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| Where to see the Glanville Fritillary |
The Glanville Fritillary is present in a small part of southern England restricted to coastal landslips on the south-east of the Isle of Wight. It also occurs on the Channel Islands and small coastal sites in Hampshire (Hordle Cliff and Hurst Castle).
A very small site at Sand Point in Somerset is the result of unlicenced introductions and probably died out in 2000 but appears to have been re-stocked again since. Certainly in 2008 several Glanville Fritillary have been reported. Another site at Berry Head, nr. Brixham, South Devon is almost certainly the result of unlicenced introductions.
The populations and distribution of the Glanville Fritillary has changed little in recent decades although there has been some losses because of habitat change due to coastal protection measures. There are only a few core breeding areas so the Glanville Fritillary remains a vulnerable species.
A visit the Isle of Wight during the flight season provides the best chance of seeing this species. Visit Bonchurch Down, Horseshoe Bay, Wheelers Bay, Compton Bay and Cliffs where it can be found with relative ease. |
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| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Glanville Fritillary is a resident species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  insuficient data |
(1976-2004) insuficient data |
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1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M.
(2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
| UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Status |
| UK BAP status2 |
candidate priority species (link) |
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| 2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk. |
| IUCN Category Status |
| IUCN category3 |
 endangered4 |
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3 Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4 More information about IUCN categories available here. |
| Find Out More Online* |
| More information about the Glanville Fritillary can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
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Aberrations and Forms |
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| We currently know of 6 named aberrant forms of the Glanville Fritillary. More information about aberrants can be found here. |
 ab. brenthis - Reuss (1921) |
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| ab. fulla - Quensel (1791) |
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| ab. mocsaryi - Aigner (1905) |
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| ab. obscurior - Seitz (1909) |
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| ab. pauper - Caruel (1944) |
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| ab. wittei - Geest (1903) |
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The following aberrant forms of the Glanville Fritillary have been photographed in the wild in Britain:
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| References |
| The information on this web site comes from a variety of freely available resources including books, academic reports and web sites alongside my own personal observations of butterflies. The species descriptions are currently in the process of being edited (spring 2009) to include new data, recent personal observations and referencing following a major update to the site.
A complete list of references mentioned in the text on this web site is available here. |
| * External Links Disclaimer |
| This web site includes links to information provided by external web sites which are not in any way under the control of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk. We cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the content of external web pages. |
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38-52mm
