The marsh fritillary is one of Britains most endangered butterflies, requiring specifically managed grassland with devil's bit scabious. Its welfare depends on maintaining and restoring traditional grassland management.
Marsh fritillary welfare is tied to maintaining appropriate sward structure through traditional livestock grazing. Rank, ungrazed grassland shades out devil's bit scabious, eliminating larval food. Conversely, overgrazing prevents scabious flowering and reduces pupation habitat. The precision of grazing management required, with appropriate timing and intensity, means this butterfly is highly dependent on conservation grazing by sympathetic landowners. Web communities providing overwintering larval warmth from black coloration are critically important sites to protect.