It's difficult to tell this butterfly from the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary the best distinguishing features of which are on the under-wing. The butterfly experts say that at this site the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary flies earlier and was mostly over or very tatty at this time in early June in 2009. This butterfly is not uncommon at Gaitbarrows where the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, High Brown Fritillary and the elusive Duke of Burgundy Fritillary also fly. It feeds on Viola riviniana (Common Dog-violet) which is plentiful here.

Gaitbarrows, Lancashire 1st June 2009

Added on 20th Oct 2004, Amended 10th Dec 2004, updated 26th June 2008, updated 2nd June 2009, updated April 14th 2010