| British Butterflies: Species: Species Account - The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary: |
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Boloria selene (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
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Nomenclature
Insecta: Lepidoptera : Family Nymphalidae: Subfamily Heliconiinae : Genus Boloria: Species selene: |
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Description
The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary is very similar to the Pearl-bordered Fritillary but is a little more widespread occuring on damp grassy habitats, woodland clearings and moorland... although still difficult to find and is absent from central and eastern England.
Like the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, the adult butterflies fly close to the ground and regularly stop to feed on Bramble and thistles.
The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary is a Priority Species for conservation due to the continued loss of habitat and resulting drop in population. |
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Habitat
In southern Britain the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary occurs in woodland glades and clearings while in western and northern parts of Britain it can be found in damp grassland and moorland.
In Scotland it is found in a wider range of habitats including edges of woodland, woodland pastures and damp grassland where patches of scrub or braken occur.
In all habitats, the key ingredient is an abundant supply of the larval foodplant growing in damp, lush grass. |
Distribution
The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary is another of our butterfly species which has suffered dramatic declines over the last 20 years. This has been most evident in England where it has seen a sever decline in colonies due to habitat loss. The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary is however widespread and locally abundant in Scotland and Wales primarily due to lower demands on land for development. |
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Where to see the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary in the British Isles
The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary is another of our butterfly species which has suffered dramatic declines over the last 20 years. This has been most evident in England where it has seen a sever decline in colonies due to habitat loss. The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary is however widespread and locally abundant in Scotland and Wales primarily due to lower demands on land for development.
Key sites for the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary include:
Staffordshire: Cannock Chase
Pembrokeshire: St Davids Head
Cumbria: Whitbarrow Scar
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Lifecycle chart
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Flight chart
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| The lifecycle and flight charts should be regarded as approximate guides to the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary in Britain. Specific lifecycle states, adult emergence and peak flight times vary from year to year due to variations in weather conditions. |
| IUCN category status 2010 5 |
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IUCN category status 2007 34 |
 --awaiting data--
5Fox, R., Warren, M., Brereton, T. M., Roy, D. B. & Robinson, A.
(2010) A new Red List of British Butterflies. Insect Conservation and Diversity.
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 Near Threatened
3Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4More information about IUCN categories. |
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Wingspan
35-44mm |
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UK status
Resident |
Larval foodplants
The primary larval foodplants of the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary are Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) and Marsh Violet (Viola palustris). |
British subspecies
 Boloria selene ssp. insularum (Harrison, 1937)
Occurs in north-west Scotland only.
Boloria selene ssp. selene (Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775)
Occurs in England, Scotland (excluding north-west Scotland) and Wales.
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Butterflies of Britain ID Chart
Your personal guide to British Butterflies. This 8-panel laminated chart is designed for speedy butterfly identification in the field. Ideal for anyone interested in identifying butterflies, perfect for children and adults and ideal for outdoor use, laminated, shower-proof and robust. |
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Online store
Visit our online store for many more butterfly related books and gifts. |
Population trends 1
UK Population trend 1995-2004  down by -10%
UK Population trend 1976-2004 down by -70%
1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M. (2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
UK BAP status 2
UK BAP status candidate priority species (link)
2For information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, visit the JNCC web site jncc.defra.gov.uk. |
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National Biodiversity Network Gateway Distribution
Map
Areas in  and  indicate a contraction in distribution of the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary except in Ireland where data is only available up until 1999.
* Records shown in  outside the natural distribution may be the result of illegal or accidental releases by breeders or, depending upon the species, migrant individuals from mainland Europe.
Key to map*
= 2000 to 2010 inclusive (current distribution)
= records from 1950 to 1999 inclusive
= records from 1900 to 1949 inclusive
Records prior to 1st January 1900 are not shown.
The NBN Gateway records are shown on the map right. (See terms and conditions).
More data is available on the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary on the NBN Gateway web site. 
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References
For full details of books and reports mentioned on this web site, view the references page.
Find out more online*
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site.
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary can be found on Matt Rowlings excellent European Butterflies web site.
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| Photographs of the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary |
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Aberrations and forms
There are 12 named aberrant forms of the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary currently listed. Find out more about aberrants here.
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| ab. bernhardi - Schulze 1918 |
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| ab. chlorographa - Cabeau 1912 |
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| ab. extenuata - Cabeau 1922 |
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| ab. flavescens - Lempke 1956 |
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| ab. halflantsi - Cabeau 1922 |
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| ab. intermedia - Spangberg 1876 |
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| ab. margostriata - Frohawk 1938 |
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| ab. medionigrans - Cabeau 1930 |
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| ab. semicadmeis - Lempke 1956 |
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| ab. vanescens - Cabeau 1930 |
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