Wildlife

Wild Marsh Fritillary Butterfly Habitat

The marsh fritillary is one of the UK's most threatened butterflies, restricted to specific grassland habitats with its larval food plant devil's bit scabious.

Key Facts

The marsh fritillary has declined by approximately 67% since the 1970s
It is found in damp grassland and marshy areas with devil's bit scabious
Colony structure involves local extinction and recolonisation events
Habitat management including grazing and scrub control maintains suitable conditions
The species is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act

Welfare Considerations

Marsh fritillary larvae overwinter in communal webs that are vulnerable to inappropriate grazing or mowing. Larvae dispersed from webs die from exposure and starvation. Conservation management that maintains the right grazing regime on appropriate sites provides the conditions individual butterflies need at each life stage.

What You Can Do

Support Butterfly Conservation marsh fritillary conservation projects
Record marsh fritillary sightings during the flying season (May-June)
Volunteer for habitat management at butterfly conservation sites